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Great job everyone! I'm down 3lbs this week - Yeah! That makes up for the 1lb last week, so right now I'm averaging 2lbs per week - my goal. I went for my first fill yesterday - and feel a bit more restriction but we'll see once I'm back on solid foods (3-4 days). I now fit into the smallest clothes in my closet!!! I haven't looked at these clothes in years! Thankfully most are business suits that don't really go out of style. So that means that when those don't fit anymore, I'm going shopping!! I have another business trip next week - I hope this fill does the trick and I don't eat too much. My dilemma will be to find something that I can eat....I'm bringing Protein bars and canned tuna in my suitcase - any other ideas?

I'm down 1 lb this week! This is fantastic as I was away at a conference all week with not so good food options. I'm thrilled to have lost the pound! I go for my first fill on Thursday.

I haven't had my first fill yet (Sept. 18th is the day) and I'm at a conference this week where there is food and drink everywhere!! Outside of each meeting room there is a supply of junk food (chocolates, chips, Cookies, ice-cream etc..). And the cafeteria serves food all day long - no $$ needed....I can't believe the amount of food here - if I weren't banded I would have easily gained 5 lbs per day...as it is I've gained 3 lbs in 3 days and have 2 more days to go!!! Although I have some restriction and I can easily get stuck if I don't take small bites and chew well - I'm still gaining - YIKES. Healthy food choices are limited here. I'm not eating anything other than at Breakfast lunch and dinner and using a salad plate instead of a dinner plate. I'm also avoiding carbs, sauces and Desserts...Still, I'm obviously getting more than I did at home given my weight gain. Not good....I have many more of these to attend over the next few months :thumbup: Must find a better strategy...hopefully my first fill will help.

Great job everyone! I lost 1 lb. this week. Things are definitely slowing down and my hunger is returning. Its tough to stay below 1000 cals...other than yesterday (1097 cals) I'm managing. I don't like having my old friend hunger hanging around as much. NSV - I've worn 2 suits to work this week that haven't fit me since 2004!!!! :tongue2:

My greatest pleasure so far has been wearing shoes I haven't been able to wear in years! I've had bad ankle pain and swelling as well as knee pain. Wearing heals has been impossible until the last few days.....I can't believe how thin my ankles are now and how easily I slip into my old heels! I almost want to cry my ankles look so thin!

I sometimes get heartburn at dinner time too. I understand its quite common - so common that my doctor prescribes prevacid at the time of surgery. I take 2 dissolvable tablets before dinner.

That's great news Fleminld! I go for my first fill on Sept. 18th....Although I've read about it and talked to the women in my support group about fills, I really can't wrap my head around how it will feel...good to know that the majority have no pain. How does the eating feel? Could you feel the restriction right away?

Congrats on the weightloss bambam31! Do you feel any restriction at all? What was the process like? Did it hurt and does it hurt now? I'm a bit anxious about getting a fill because I don't know what to expect...any light you could shed w/b appreciated.

A friend of mine told me about this link (patients' ratings of all BC doctors) - Although I've already had my surgery and am happy with Dr. Woodhead, others who may still be thinking about it may find this link useful. http://www.ratemds.com/filecache/SelectDoctor.jsp?sid=53.

So, although I was nervous about it, I went for my first business lunch with a senior executive from our head office in Toronto. Reservations were at a swanky restaurant on the beach in Vancouver. I agonized over what I would eat and what I would wear... I checked the restaurant's website and decided that the BC grilled salmon and greens w/b best and that I just wouldn't eat what looked dubious. I haven't had a fill yet but have restriction so need to be very careful about what I eat and how I chew. As well, I found an outfit that I hadn't worn since 2004 and that fit me albeit the pants were a bit loose (that felt good!). So I got to the restaurant and ordered a Water with lemon while I waited. When I rose to greet him he gave me a hug and said "wow, you look fantastic, what have you been doing?" I couldn't have been happier. When the food came, I ate very slowly, took small bites, and chewed well. The salmon melted in my mouth...good choice...can't go wrong with fresh BC salmon. Although I couldn't finish the meal, it wasn't awkward or uncomfortable. I simply left what I couldn't eat. I must say that this was a great NSV!!! I managed to get through my first business lunch without any mishaps and had a great time.

Thanks everyone! Yes, salmon and tuna have been my mainstays the past few days...I'm fortunate because I LOVE seafood and I live on the West Coast. My concern is getting enough Protein and having protein first - salmon and tuna are packed with it so it makes my decision quite easy. Congrats on being banded Roheryn...how do you feel?

I agree Lellow! I find when I eat the 'hard' Proteins first (mainly fish for me at this stage), I am full longer. What you eat really does make a difference as to how soon you'll be hungry.

I'm down 2lbs this week - the lowest weightloss since I began I knew it had to slow down sometime....but I was hoping later rather than sooner... I too haven't exercised as I've been in the hospital with a recurring kidney infection...but I'm hopeful that I'll soon be able to get outside again.

I too had one repaired - I only found out when he told me after the operation. During my post-op check-up he also showed me pictures of my operation which showed a before and after picture of the hernia - not pretty but interesting nonetheless.

I'm just about 3 weeks post-op and am having bad back pains - left side near my shoulder blade. The ache is always there, but gets worse after a long work day. I think its too high to be my kidney again, so am wondering if anyone else newly banded has similar pains and what's causing them. If it doesn't go away by tomorrow, I'll call my doctor.

Lanakila, You can do this! You've been successful thus far and will continue to be so...I feel your pain and remember what its like but the August AllStars are a tough lot and you will do this.

Thanks Lellow and Roheryn, The pain increased throughout the night and by 2:00am I was in emergency again -they're not sure if its a continuation of the kidney infection I was treated for a few weeks ago or a new infection. The band has nothing to do with the infection other than I confused the infection with pain from my surgery...I am prone to UTI and bladder infections. This time I didn't wait and went for help right away. I'm on pain killers, IV fluids and antibiotics. The band to date has been a non-event - I have restriction, I get full very easily and learned the hard way when I need to stop eating, I'm losing weight, and I can see and feel the difference in my body. The band has been the best thing I've done for myself. I'm just so depressed about the kidney infection and why it just won't go away!!! I feel helpless and don't like the feeling one bit:cursing: Thanks for reading,

Great info - thank you. I learned the hard way yesterday that eating too quickly is painful. I had been out all day running errands, forgot to eat, got home ravenous and ate my mushy Soup way too quickly. I had the 'golf ball on fire' feeling and had to get up and walk around while praying that I wouldn't throw-up....thankfully it passed within a few minutes. I'd hate to think what would have happened if it was 'hard' food :smile2: I learned my lesson (I really really hope!!!) and am thankful it was with 'soft' food.

I only received a shot just before the surgery....nothing afterwards.

Good luck to all who are closing out the lucky 08/08 bandster team! Let us know how your sugeries go!

I'm a steristrip gal...I was told that I could shower (no baths) 4 days after the operation. I didn't ask when I could take a bath as I only take showers :tongue: I live in Canada and most patients (unless its open surgery) go home the same day. I was the first operation of the day (8:00am) and out by about 5:00pm (enough time for the nurses to see me walk, go to the washroom, keep liquids down and the doctors to check in on me).

Great job! It's so gratifying to see everyone's progress....we are a special month - (08/08 afterall!). I'm down 4 lbs this week for a total of 24 lbs. I've also been walking Maggie (my labradoodle) daily - between 30 - 60 minutes. More exciting are my before and after pictures and my inches lost! It really is astonishing to SEE :wink2: what a difference 24lbs makes!

Hi, I too had similar pains and a hernia repair - sounds normal however if it gets too bad, go to the doctor...I mistook a kidney infection for band pain :smile2:

Hi Patricia, Yes I'm feeling better and will be there.

and less strict than the Canadian doctors eh!