FeliciaLevy75

OK, ready to rock with some new numbers! Current: 286 Challenge Goal: 256 (-30 lbs)

I was banded May 15, 2008 at 299lbs. My goal is 140, so I have a ways to go. About me: 33 years old (on Friday!) Divorced (and happy about it, thanks!) Female A full time student A full time paralegal Living with a roommate (Army guy, healthy, great friend and supporter) A little OCD, a lot Type A, and completely motivated I cuss like a sailor I love to travel I live on my BlackBerry (mentor will have to be someone OK with communicating via phone, text, email, chat, and boards**) First, a nod to VegasGrace. FABULOUS post! I would love to talk to you sometime! That said, I am just this side of needing things like Protein powders for my morning smoothie, a gym membership to remind me that I need to (a) socialize and ( get my ass moving since I am paying for it. I know that's not your gig, but please know that I am applauding your posts. =) I need tough love, and prefer it over most "touchy-feely" crap... but I need empathy, too. My mentor will need to be honest with me, but I don't want a drill sargeant. My mentor will need to have their own life outside of these boards and, believe it or not, outside the band. It's a tool, it shouldn't consume you (or me, for that matter). I want a mentor who will be proactive in mentoring, sharing their experience, but not someone who will throw in the towel because I did something my way. I don't do the pity thing, I am not second-guessing this decision. I am here, I did it, and I want to move forward. One of my favorite sayings: It is what it is. You deal with it, whatever it is, and you live your life. As the title says, I would prefer a guy. It's not a deal breaker, but I am guy-friend type of gal. Less drama, more honesty, and usually to-the-point. If you have questions, let me know. Thanks! ** Not necessarily all at once or one over the other, but we both have lives and each medium has its own advantages.

Supposed to fill on July 2, but sooner if my non-liquid diet doesn't fill me up.

Will weigh and post tomorrow. =)

I was banded on May 15 and, aside from my post-surgery follow up, I am not due for another followup or fill until July 2. This was to allow me plenty of time to heal, move slowly into solids, and take my time getting used to everything. That said, they did say that once I was into solids (3-5 weeks depending on how I feel), if 4oz of a high Protein meal didn't make me feel full or if I was hungry again very soon, to call them for an earlier appointment. After the 1st fill, whenever that is, it will be based on my ability to eat my 4oz and remain full. If I am not getting full, then I go back, regardless of when my appointment is actually scheduled. My point is that everyone is different; it's going to be hard for anyone, including the doctors, to tell you for certain what schedules of fills will work for you simply based on their own experience. You should listen to your body first, then discuss that with your doctor.

I made a smoothie this morning that tasted a bit like an Orange Julius.... (not that I am old, but it seems like something the "younger" crowd wouldn't recogize). For those who do remember... I made mine with: 1 scoop Vanilla protein powder (can't remember which brand, from GNC) 2 oz Minute Maid Light Orange Drink (the one with 50 cals per 8oz) 3 oz Nonfat Milk 1 cup frozen Mango chunks Blend until smooth. Add milk, juice, or water to thin to taste. Add more frozen Mangoes to thicken.

Las Vegas, Dr. Soong, $16,100 and it includes all follow up and fills for 1 year.

Sadly, I was an NKOTB fan.... actually, even the word "fan(atic)" is too putting it lightly. *sigh* I saw their Today show (GMA?) appearance and felt sooooo bad for them. They just aren't the comeback kind, at least not trying to relive the 80s and 90s. Maybe the new stuff will be better? I live in Vegas, but I won't be betting on it anytime soon. :sad: There are a lot of 80s bands touring this summer! I saw Bon Jovi in Phoenix about a month ago, and if my timing isn't off, I am hoping to catch Iron Maiden this summer, as well as a few others.

Hey Yvonne, did you go to the support group last night? I had a team meeting at school, so I will have to wait until next month for the Tuesday group. Just curious how it went.

What if you are still on LPD? I get hiccups after drinking a few sips of water - not necesarily after my liquid meal. The hunger-type breastbone pain is also there sometimes.

I take NatureMade adult multivitamin (chewable, orangey, pretty good). I also love Kashi-brand GoLean shake/smoothie powder mix. Tons of protein, good fiber content, and filling. Kashi is a fabulous company, and their products are yummy!

Manatee: The opposite is also true. In a search for attention, "love" and personal connections, sex is used to try and fill the voids created by other issues obese people have. A bit like using grains of sand to fill the Grand Canyon, IMHO, but it happens. People who are overweight sometimes are less sexually active once they lose weight - think less quantity, more quality. Sex and relationships are huge ego boosters, and the most promiscuous people I know are overweight. One woman I know now dates a hell of a lot more... but sex is something that grows from her relationships, instead of the other way around.

I was also banded May 15. I took off until Wednesday (doing a few hours from home Sunday and Tuesday). I worked a half-day Wednesday and took a break before spending 4 hours in class (and giving a presentation!) that night. I worked a full day today. Aside from my port site, I have no pain or discomfort. liquids have been great and I followed the advice of my doc and moved, moved, moved, starting on Day 1... no gas issues! Getting up and down a lot is what makes the port site sore, as does a lot of driving, but normal stuff is good. I am not running marathons, I am not doing a lot of bending and stretching, but I am generally back at normal daily activities in only a week. Had my follow-up yesterday and the doc said that I was doing fine and that as long as I was comfortable, they had no recommendations for time off.

If you really want to know what people think, I am happy to share my 2 cents. If you aren't excited, if you are already looking for a way to do the minimum, if you are not willing to do everything it takes and adjust how you do things... you will fail. It's not about what a certain doctor requires, it is about what you require from yourself - including making "sacrifices" to enjoy better health, better aesthetics, and a better relationship with who you are and who you want to be. Nothing about WLS is miraculous... and you truly only get out of it what you are willing to put in. Why would you consider this if you weren't willing to put everything into it? A suggestion would be to find a therapist who specializes in WLS patients, someone who can help you understand why you started this process but seem hesitant to finish it.

My doctor has two basic rules on portion size: 1. First 3 weeks, full liquids, unlimited until satisfied for each of three meals a day. In between, unlimited clear (non-calorie) liquids like sugar free popsicles, Water, Crystal Light, etc. 2. Solid foods (whether mushies or not) - 4 oz by weight, not volume, (including any smoothies we choose instead of harder foods) at each of three meals a day. Same in-betweens as before, non-caloric things to sate your head-hunger.

This is an old thread... but is this still going on?

I am in NLV, but willing to drive to Henderson for a good group.

Well, I did it. Thursday, May 15, I was banded. The staff and other patients (bandsters and non-bandsers alike) were a lot of fun. I want to post more, and I will. I feel so badly, as I forgot the name of my ward-mate and co-bander. While we didn't talk a lot, we still had fun and I felt so much more support seeing a face that was so quickly familiar. How are you?? How are you feeling? Thank you for the smiles, the luck, and the laughter.

I hope I am that ambulatory tomorrow! I will go nuts if I can't be somewhat normal... even if I will be a bit foggy. :party: Seriously, I am in awe. How are you feeling? Welcome!

I just had to say this... Willow, you are now one of my personal heroes. :smile: Very well said, and fabulous advice!

My 2 bosses have been completely supportive. So much, in fact, that I wouldn't be on this forum or having surgery tomorrow if it weren't for them. I have let one person in my office, and one person with whom I work remotely know that I am having the band placed, and a few others know only that I am having surgery. We (those in the know) aren't hiding it, but we're not advertising it, either. If people notice (and I hope they do), then I will tell them about it. I find myself almost advertising the fact that I am having surgery, in hopes that people will ask. This is me, now, band and all, and I will tell anyone who will listen. =)

Yvonne.... My preop is tomorrow, too. I know they do group sessions; see you there? Hmmmmm =)

Live and work in North Las Vegas, but I am all over the place. I have family near Anthem/Seven Hills, so I am in that area a lot, too.

I forgot about that. My surgeon's fees include a year of follow up and fills.

I am in Las Vegas, being banded by Dr. Soong on Thursday, May 15. He came recommended by a friend of a friend. I attended his seminar last month and after some vacations, was able to finish my pre-op testing this week. I know that his center has support groups, but I was also wondering if there was anything regular here or in-person that others knew about?