Who'sThere

I say pre-op or post-op...doesn't matter to me. Aren't we all trying to lose weight?

I don't mind you asking at all. I have the LapBand. That is the only one my doctor uses, but it really wouldn't have made a big difference to me. I do like that the LapBand has the precurved sections, but I also like the low profile of the Realize port. I'm just really happy I stuck with my decision and did it. Every day, I feel better and better. I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. I know I had plenty, and I'm sure I'll have plenty more as my journey continues. Take care!

My doctor only does fills every two months as far as I can tell from what I've read. I was only banded a week ago, and I know he won't fill before two monts, but in my paperwork, it says I'll only see him every two months for the first year for adjustments unless I have a problem.

I agree with elcee; you are right on target with 1-2lbs per week. Keep up the good work!

I say we go with whatever we weigh this coming Monday as our starting weights.

Sorry you had a bumpy road, but it will get better! Being a week out today, I feel SO much better! If it weren't for these railroad tracks on my belly and knowing that I can't eat solid food, I wouldn't know I'd had surgery! Best of luck from here on out!

I watched every minute of it. I was glued to the TV. I think it is amazing, and I'm very proud of him. I wish him well in his job as a personal trainer and his quest for love. I found it very inspiring, even if I'm not doing it "the old fashioned way".

What a great idea! You have inspired me!

It may vary depending on your nutritionist. (I've found a lot of information on her varies from surgeon to surgeon, nutritionist to nutritionist, etc..) However, here is what mine said: Protein shakes never count toward fluid intake for the day. They count as meals. So, my take would be that if you aren't getting in all your protein from meals, you should replace a meal with a high protein drink. That's my two cents worth! Good luck.

Great news! Give her our best!

Congratulations! Enjoy your new life full of possibilities. I can't wait to be there, too!

Thanks for starting this thread! I'm willing to do whatever day works best for everyone else, but I just joined a Labor Day Challenge on the General Thread, and I think we are going to weigh on Mondays, so I thought I'd throw that out there as a suggestion. I can weigh any day though. I don't mind weighing more than once a week and just tracking the different days' weights on different threads.

Count me in, too! I just had surgery last week, so I'm gonna set my goal a little higher. I can just hope! I'm gonna set my goal for 20 lbs. NAME........SURGERY...START....CURRENT....TO GO Hdsantoni.......252.........187..........187...........15 Wyomingirl......376.........283..........283...........15 Aivey.............270.........265..........265...........20 Best of luck to all, and I think Monday weigh-ins would be a great idea, too.

I had surgery on Tuesday, July 7, and I'm a teacher, so luckily, I'm off for the summer. However, I'm in graduate school, and I had to give a presentation on Saturday. I made it to class fine, but by 1:00 I was DONE! I had to leave early (classes are from 8-3), and when I got home, I crashed! After I woke up, I had my first BM since the night after surgery, and I've felt much better since that. So, my point to this TMI is that if you are functioning normally otherwise, you will probably be okay. If I had to go back to class today, I'm sure I could make it the entire time. Each person is different though, so just listen to your body and don't be harder on yourself than you have to be.:thumbdown:

My surgeon hasn't talked to me at all about setting a goal weight. Maybe he will when I go on Monday. Anyway, these are the factors I'm taking into consideration right now. The last time I felt really good I weighed around 220. I know that is still way overweight, so I want to go lower than that for sure! According to BMI, I should weigh somewhere around 130, but from here, I just can't see myself there. Maybe that will come in time. For now, I want to focus on something I feel is attainable, and that is 199. I want to be under 200 and then I'll reevaluate. That is the thought process behind the weight goal in my ticker, anyway...

So far these are the things I've found the most helpful. Insulated Playtex sippy cups (as suggested by TessieKay, I think) have been wonderful. I had to get a raised toilet seat for the first several days post-op. I bought a Magic Bullett, and it is fabulous!!!

I am THAT out of shape! I realized that when I switched the laundry and was out of breath. I used to be very active, and I'm still really flexible, but I have no stamina. I am sincerely hoping to work on that! You've come a long way; be proud of that. Good luck with the rest of your journey!

I remember you, Dee. I wondered where you had been. I was banded Tuesday, July 7. So far, so good. Keep me posted on how things are going for you! Good luck!

My surgery was scheduled for 8:00A.M., but I had to be at the hospital at 5. Since I live an hour away, that made for an early morning! I got up at 3:30 and took my shower. There was no need for extra time since I couldn’t do make up, fix my hair, or lotion up. We left the house at 4 and arrived about 5 minutes early. They had a problem with the machine that prints the arm bands, so it took a little while to get mine. They were actually ready for me before I got it! They weighed me (hadn’t lost as much as I’d hoped on pre-op diet), and I went into a little room where I had to disrobe, and I got my gown. I have never felt so small in my life. That gown was HUGE! I’m sure it was designed that way especially for bariatric patients, but it sure felt nice. Then, they took my BP and temp. I had already forgotten about this wonderful service my hospital offers, but within just a few minutes, the hospital’s WLS surgery coordinator, Pat (I think that’s her title) came in to talk to me and my husband. She is a lady who had RNY about 8 years ago. She (and a girl I work with actually) started a local support group (local to the hospital, that is) anywhere that would let them meet (local churches, etc.) because there was nothing like that around here. Well, their group grew and grew, and the hospital got wind of it. They created a position for this lady, and now she conducts the pre and post op seminars/support groups for the local hospitals, and she comes to sit with all bariatric patients at the hospital on the day of their surgery. (I’m sure there is more to her job since it’s a full time position, but I don’t really know.) So when Pat arrived I was happy to see her. She came in and talked to me and my husband about what all to expect that day and for the next couple of weeks, and even vaguely forever. I knew most of the stuff already (thanks to LBT and my own research), but it was great for my husband. She probably talked to us for an hour, and then my transporter, Herby, came to take me to holding. My hubby got to go so far, and then I had to kiss him good-bye. Pat stayed with me in holding, where I was very comfortable. I LOVED the nice warm blanket, but I didn’t love so much the pulsing booties. The holding nurse started my IV and introduced me to my anesthesiologist. Then I met my CRNA, and it was time to go to the OR. Pat stayed with me until I entered the OR! Once in the OR, they put something in my IV that they warned would burn, and, MAN, it did! After that, the Dr. told me what I was breathing was just oxygen, but she lied! It was lights out! The next thing I knew, I was in my room. I don’t even remember being in recovery! My nephew was in PICU (only 6 weeks old…sick little baby…long story) , and the first thing I said when I woke up was, “How’s Eli?” He was having tests and ended up having his third surgery the day after mine. (Three surgeries in six weeks!) After getting an update on him, I felt better and began to wake. Shortly after that Pat was there again to check on me. It took a while for transport to come and get me to take me for my swallow test. They finally did, though, and everything went fine. I was happy to get to see the x-rays of my band and port. It was really cool! After I returned back to my room, it was time for me to eat, err drink. I was the first patient to be sent back down to Same Day Surgery before going home (instead of where, I don’t know) so the nurses there weren’t really trained about what/how I was supposed to eat. My nurse had a “cheat sheet” that she was using and brought me a cup of apple juice. I had to call my MIL who went to the nutrition class with me to tell me (and the nurse) how much I was supposed to have how fast. By the time I got off the phone, though, my nurse had found the answer. She measured my one ounce for 15 minutes, and as soon as I got that down, I was ready to go home. (She did call and order me another binder though so that I would have one to wear and one to wash, so we did wait on that to come.) The ride home wasn’t bad at all. I put a pillow between my abdomen and my seat belt, and I was totally fine. I came home and went straight to bed, but I didn’t stay there too long. I found myself to be much more comfy in the recliner in our theater room. Needless to say, that is where I’ve been spending most of my time since. The morning after surgery, I had a real scare! I got nauseas and actually ended up heaving three good times. Nearly nothing came out because there wasn’t much there, but I did puke some clear liquid and scare myself to death that I had hurt my band! I talked to the surgeon’s office though, and I think I’m fine. The only other real issue I had the night of surgery and the next day was getting pain meds. The doctor originally prescribed me something (Loratab) to which I am allergic. By the time my husband got it to the pharmacy and called the surgeon, there was nothing he could do for the night. I had to call the next day and get the script changed. When that was done, UHC (my insurance) was having computer problems, so it was hours before my scripts could be filled. I went over 24 hours with nothing. Since then, though I’ve only had to have two doses of pain meds and one does of liquid Tylenol. That’s not too bad in my book. The only other two issues I’ve had are getting in enough fluids and the gas pain in my shoulder and neck! I am afraid I will drink too much too quickly, and I really have no appetite or thirst at all. Yesterday (Friday the 10th) I took my first shower, which I’m sure my family appreciated! I replaced my bandages, fixed my hair, and even put on makeup. My MIL and I went to a neighboring town about 30 miles away, and I got a stylish lunchbox in which to keep my liquid food cold, made copies for my graduate presentation (see next paragraph) and bought some stretchy clothes that won’t hurt my belly button incision for the next week or two. It was nice to get out of the house for a bit, but that was enough for me. When we got home, I crashed! I had to go to class today (Saturday the 11th) because I’m in graduate school, and I had a presentation due. (My classmate drove me.) My presentation was early, and things went pretty well. I was allowed to sit during it, and I know that helped. However, I had to leave about 1:00 (class doesn’t end until 3:00) because I was just feeling really fatigued and a little nauseas. I will be docked a half a letter grade in my afternoon class for missing even part of one class. (I have a morning class and and afternoon class.) However, I’m okay with that. Getting an A- is so worth it. I’ll still have a 4.0, and I’ll still get the same degree! I am just thankful that my classmate felt the same way because, unfortunately, she will be docked too. She knew I didn’t feel well, and she really pushed me to leave, so I don’t feel too guilty, but I still feel a little bad. Oh, well, I guess that goes to show she’s a good friend! (I already knew that though!) When I came home, I crashed for about two hours. When I woke up, I had my first BM since Tuesday, and now I feel much better! I just can’t wait for this healing process to be over. I’m ready to get up and get on with my new life! Overall, I feel great, and I have already lost three pounds since surgery. (Can’t get my ticker to update though…click on it and nothing happens) If I had to decided again whether or not to do this, I would absolutely do it again in a minute. The discomfort will be nothing when I am on my feet again and losing weight! I wish everyone reading this as smooth a journey as I have had so far! Best of luck to all! P.S. If my computer will operate, I will post surgery day pics and pics of my incisions.

Mine is on the right, a few inches below my breast but far enough away that my braline doesn't touch it.

Well, I'm out of surgery. I'm in my room waiting for them to come get me for my barium swallow test. As soon as I pass that and have a clear meal (1/2 oz. broth, 1/2 oz. jello, 1/2 oz. water) I'll be set to go home. My oxygen was only like 90 so, I am trying to stay awake and keep that off. As long as I stay awake, I can keep it at the required 94, but when I doze it goes down. So, I'm trying to stay awake. I'll post more in a bit as it's hard to type with the pulse ox thingy on one finger.

Good luck, Paulette! I'm writing this from the hospital waiting room. I'm here at 5AM for my 8AM surgery. I'm waiting on my armband last night. I, like you, didn't sleep much last night. I tried, but a million things kept running through my mind, nothing bad just like things to remember to bring, stuff I meant to do but didn't, that kind of stuff. I'll try to post again as soon as I'm able. Good luck to all!

Just the other day my husband told me that the day before I had had really bad breath. (Why didn't he just tell me then?) He said it was different than any other bad breath smell and he wondered if it was from all the milk-based protein shakes I'd been drinking. Who knows? I'm interested to see what other people have to say.

I just found this too, and I wanna join. I'm being banded tomorrow. With two months left of the challenge, would you say 30 pounds is an unrealistic goal?

Right now, my first goal is to be under 200. As you can see from my ticker, I'm a ways from that. When I reach that goal, I'll set another. For me it's easier to take it in mini steps. It just seems more doable that way!