Katarina

Have lost 22 lbs. Have had one fill, just last week. Thank goodness my doctor is very aggressive. He put in 5.5cc in a 10cc band.

By the way Denise, how are you doing since back home to normal life. I remember you were traveling a lot, had company, wedding or something... I'm really interested in how you and Indio do....(you are our heros)... How we maintain once we reach our goal.

Definitely sounds like a fan of Atkins. Which I am.. but I would say there are limits. But with the band, I guess they are saying you can't get too many calories? (just a guess)

Unfortunately I found out last night that the band works.(the hard way :cool2: ). and the fill that I got last week (of 5.2cc) is sufficient for now. Had my first stuck episode. I was very much distracted, tv on, my husband yacking at me...and 2nd bite of a piece of wonderful wild salmon did it. Immediately felt pain and sliming started. I walked around with my hands above my head and it finally passed. I didn't have any pineapple juice or papaya (cause I really didn't think it would ever happen to me :biggrin: )...I won't make that mistake again - going to walmart today to make sure and have them on hand! I know you are not suppose to drink anything, but I took 2 sips of very HOT tea. That did the trick and within about 5 minutes I was fine. Back to liquids today. Katarina

I was 208 for first dr appt. 200/199 day of surgery on 7/24/2008. Yeah your weight loss will be less than most but steady. I've lost total of 24 (including pre-surgery diet). I'm happy and would do again without question.

All I'm saying is I did it last night - I took 2 small sips of hot tea (AFTER) and I was fine within 5 minutes, no throw-ups, not worse, better! I know the pineapple or papaya is preferred but it sounded like she was a couple hours from that option.

I know somebody said don't drink... but it happened to me last night.. a few sips of HOT tea helped. I've heard heat will slight open the band a little

Here on Saturday morning and doing well. Had my first fill on Thursday and they put in 5.2cc which made me nervous when you said you had 5.0cc... I thought that was pretty agressive for a first fill. But I've been okay. I did fine on the 24 hours of liquid and last night had some cottage cheese and did fine with that too. This morning had a little oatmeal and did just fine with that. So sounds like my 5.2cc was perfect. I get full when I eat, but since it's just mushys through tomorrow, I get hungry pretty quick. But I'm handling for now. Thanks for all your help and advice. I agree with Long that I don't read the negative threads - just the successful ones like yours!:lovechoc: Katarina

Yep - 24 hours liquids, 48 hours mushies. Thanks for your support!

6 weeks post surgery and got my first fill today. Went very well, I was nervous but had no reason to be. I have a 10cc band and he filled to 5.2cc. At first he put in a little more but when I did the drink test the Water stayed right in the esophogus - so he took a little out then it went down fine. Is 5.2cc about average for first fill? Another thing happened that I have a question about. Once he got me set to the good fill - he had me finish the drink - he told me to take a big drink so it would fill up the pouch. Then I burped (very embarrassing) right in front of him... He said "that's good - you need to burb"... Why is that a good thing? Katarina

Janet - group prayers for your Andrew. Take care of him first.. don't worry about us, we'll get by. Katarina

I'm with you. I have not had my first fill yet, not until 9/5 (6 weeks after surgery), however I've steadily lost 1-2 lbs per week. But it's pure will power.. I've been crying in my pillow at night I'm so hungry and I'm afraid that he will say.. no fill today - your losing okay.

Thanks Janet. I can't wait to see how you progress through the maintain stage and teach us all that too.

Hi Janet, I posted this on the 50's thread but didn't get an answer and thought maybe you had rather answer here. A few pages back you said something about going up on calories a day (pretty significantly as I recall) so you stop losing weight. Will you have to unfill your band at all to do that or just eat more often? Just wondering how that will occur? Also, I have not had a fill yet, but understand my doctor requires one day full liquids, one day mushy's after a fill. That sounds more reasonable but probably won't lose the 4+ pounds a week. Got a scale victory today (I'm trying to only weigh once a week)... Hit the 20 lb mark. Very exciting. Not as exciting as 50 lbs that long got but I'll take the victories where I can :biggrin2:. Katarina

I have not posted in a while but have been reading up and healing. I had to travel last week and it was my first trip since being banded on 7/24 so I was a little nervous, but everything went well. I think I read that someone said on an earlier post they eat more on business trips and I had the same issue, so didn't want it to creep up. And it didn't! I was so happy. I really have not been hungry since the surgery but just starting to get a bit of an appetite back so going into a bit of lapband hell... before the first fill. That won't happen until 9/5 (surgeon insists on 6 weeks healing). However I think I still have a bit of restriction. The other day had some deli roast beef and it definitely felt like it got stuck. :tongue2: That did not feel well at all. I threw the rest of the package away. I'm sure it was my fault, not chewing well enough but if it treated me bad once I'm not trying again. Janet - you said something earlier I remember about having to up your calories so you don't continue to lose. Will you be getting an unfill or doing that in some other way. Just curious and looking forward to that day for me :biggrin2: Happy day to everyone. Katarina

Janet You look MARVELOUS (think Billy Crystal voice :biggrin:) Katarina

I'm glad I found this thread. I'm also from Dallas (actually northeast tarrant county). I got my band on 7/24 from Dr. David Kim. I'm still on liquids (until Saturday), then I can start mushys. So far have not really been hungry yet - it will come with a vengeance when it does come). Just getting beyond the too sore to move stage. Most of the incisions are healing nicely except the port one which I've heard takes a bit longer. Have had some gas pains and the Gas-X strips really don't help a bit. I've also find the heating pad doesn't help - best thing I have found is an cold pack. I bought one of those big ones that covers your whole tummy - and it's been my best friend for days. Take care for all those healing and good luck to those about to have the surgery. Katarina

Thank you Long and Orea on your response regarding Protein needs. I had not thought of that but it makes perfect sense that your body could only handle so much at a time. Good luck Orea tomorrow - we'll be thinking of you.

Hi All - First - can you see my message? I've posted on this 50's thread several times and never got a reply so I wonder if I'm doing something wrong? Today is my 5th day post banding. Got it on Thursday the 24th. Thursday and Friday both were really fine. Saturday and Sunday seemed to be the sore days. Yesterday I was back at work and although tired made it through the day fine (desk job). Today is even better. I read those posts of people going places 2 days after surgury and I wonder HOW? I must be a weenie... Slow walking - don't lift anything heavy or you feel a pull, etc. I remember a post many many pages back about the protein bullets. I went to the Vitamin Shoppe yesterday and got several. Did you folks put them in your water or drink straight? Use the 42 gm or the 25 gm? Good luck to all those about to have the surgury and those that have. Katarina:thumbup:

Hey all - Happy Saturday. I had my surgury on Thursday the 24th and yesterday at home felt a bit shaky. Today actually feel human. Got to take a shower this morning too.. that definitely helped. One thing that I would warn the 50+ folks on. The day before my surgury all of a sudden the doctor decided I needed a recent stress test. So I was calling all over to find a place to get that done that day otherwise I would have been delayed. So be sure and ask your doctor if you need one. My tummy has little bruises at all of the incensions. My husband says it looks like I was shot with a machine gun.:tt2:. Only the port one hurts though. Take care all. Good luck to all those on this journey or about to begin. Still feels like the best decison I have made for myself in a while. Katarina

what was the cost compared to US?

I had my surgury yesterday and feel really good today! I had the dreaded hiatal hernia too that needed correcting, but still did not have to stay over night (yay!) Just a little pain at the port sight, none of the other places hurt. I'm 50 years old and I asked the doctor about travel. He said I should be fine in 2 weeks. Question about food. My plan is pretty much exactly like what Janet said. Clear liquids for 2 days, full liquids for 1 week (including soups and puddings this time!), then mushy's for 2 weeks. After that start introducing foods gradually, slowly, chew chew chew well. A year ago I also had the gall bladder surgury. It was a piece of cake, 3 minor incisions, home the same day and instantly feeling better! Don't put it off because you will not believe how much better you feel. Take care all and thanks for the support group. Katarina

Going on Thursday. Have not been nervous for some reason. I guess I've been researching so long that I feel fairly prepared.:seeya:

Hello - I'm new to this but have been reading everything I can. One question I have is how soon can I travel after surgury? I travel for work and have arranged to be home for 2 weeks post surgury (on 7/24). But will need to travel on or around 8/6. Any issues with that? Thanks in advance for the response! Katarina

Hey all - I'm a day behind you. Getting mine on Thursday. Can't wait!!