MelodyJ

Teachntots-- So sorry...I've been able to stick w/ liquids so far!! I did try the Nexium capsule in pudding...it was GROSS!!! Hang in there....maybe you can get your dr to prescribe your prozac in liquid form?! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Eleda, You can go out to eat!! We now get one meal and share!!! If I want something different then we each buy a meal and mine lasts for 4 or 5 more meals sometimes!! Not a bad thing if it was tasty!! I only eat about 1/2 cup at a meal.....rarely snack anymore!! My husband has about 40lbs to lose I think we figured out?! This has helped him tremendously!!! I had to be on liquids the first 3 weeks so that made it a bit tougher for him... but he was great about it!! VERY supportive!! Good Hubby!!! If you sincerely share your heart and reassure him in his fears I believe he'll be more supportive!!! It did hurt me honestly....but it was short-lived! If I needed to go to work I could have within a week....but I didn't need too as we moved and I took almost a month off!! Was really wanting to take about 6 weeks but my new boss was begging for me to come even quicker!! I hadn't told him I had surgery....I just told him I wanted some time off w/ family!! I truly enjoyed my time off too!! Even if I was moving about 600miles away!! You mentioned my rapid weight loss!! I LOVE it!! I also work for it! I do have LOTS to lose....so not unexpected that I would lose faster I believe! I was totally not exercising before the band....eating terribly and basically eating myself to DEATH!!! So this was a HUGE motivator for me! We paid cash and I am not one to "waste" money....so am getting my money's worth in this band!!! I am now walking every day...2miles...not as many as some....but LOTS more than I was. I eat only 1/2 cup at a time....truly!! I have cups that I know what line is how much and I feel them to there.... usually can finish it....but sometimes (after my first fill last week) I can't even finish it!! I occasionally snack like a 1oz cheese stick....but that's only if my meal gets delayed (work) ....I eat usually every 4-6hrs. I'm not hungry in between.... Hope this helps!! God Bless< Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs :mad:

Eleda-- My husband wouldn't even consider me having surgery....so I got all my ducks in a row and about 2 mos later I had all the statistics and information and asked him to please let me tell him what I'd researched! Also he'd watched me lose and gain...watched me cry about how unhappy I was w/ my weight!! He knew that if I stayed at this high of weight then I would probably get disease....have a heavy family history....all of these things convinced him!! :mad: He loves me and wants me around for awhile!!! Prayer also helped.... Love you, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Teachntots: Yes there is a liquid form of Prozac....not sure how bad it tastes?! Someone also told me if you put the capsule in liquid and make it mushy then you can still take w/o getting stuck...haven't tried. God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Lisa-- Great idea....self-talk!! Used to do that when I was just "dieting" pre-band.... it works!! I think that what we confess we possess!!! So thanks for reminding me to tell my stomach to shut up and I am in charge!! I actually don't snack too often! At work it gets crazy and I do grab a cheesestick and take a bite....do some work then grab another bite! Helps the hunger grumbles!!! I have noticed that I "forget" to eat if busy enough! Love that!!!! :mad: I told my family yesterday for the first time I am feeling in control finally!! The food is not controlling me....I am controlling me....most of the time!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Lisa-- Praying that your insurance covers you!!! I was a self-pay.....it's a lot of money but my husband said I was definitely worth it!! I am blessed!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Susan.... Is Orange City close enough?!? That's where I'm at.....suburb of Orlando I'm told! Keep trying you might get someone closer!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Tina-- Thanks for the sympathy/empathy....know I"m not alone in this battle!! The fill on Wednesday has jump started me again....have lost another 4lbs since!! Of course, liquids do that....but have prayed alot and asked the Lord not to let any weight come back once I've lost it and He is faithful!! This truly is a journey!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Lisa-- Dr. G also had the procedure himself! I don't know if I told you I did my procedure in Dalton, GA.....but moved....that's how I got in touch w/ him.... the need for a fill. Don't know if you'll be up to feeding your kids that evening!! Depending on how far you live....you may want to at least stay in a hotel nearby?! That's what we did....we actually lived 2 hrs away from where I had my surgery...they felt like one night would be good in the hotel close by... "just in case".....I felt fine and checked out the next morning w/o problem!! God Bless.... Melody Banded 3/20/06 -43lbs

Lisa-- I agree!!!! Thanks for the reminders!!! No 2nds....my biggest struggle is taking a couple more bites as I put food away....I know it's only a couple of bites but I also KNOW this is why I'm where I'm at!!!!!!!!!!!! I will get the hang of this!!!! I eat on a saucer too!!! I got a fill on Wednesday....he put a bunch in!!! 2.4cc of my 4cc band! I feel like right after the surgery....except no pain!! The dr told me that he was aggressive....I would appreciate him when I lost more weight!!! Back on liquids for 4 more days!!! I'll get over it!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs

Lisa-- If I understood correctly....another doc banded someone and there were complications and since he's done so many....they are using him as a witness! They charged me $200 for my fill....but if you do the surgery w/ him he will include those for the first year. I only stayed from about 9am-3pm ....I just went and slept the rest of the evening. I had no problem! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs

I was just going on the fact they said nothing bigger than a pencil eraser and Nexium is bigger....I got food stuck and I am such a chicken!!!! Got my first fill Wednesday and feel like when I first had the surgery...BIG restriction....so now I'm back to REALLY being careful again...had gotten a little "lazy" about chewing to goo....I am back on liquids for another couple of days!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs

Oh yeah Lisa....he has 3 partners...Dr. Krishnaraj, Dr. Bala, Dr. DiCicco... www.pascosurgical.com or www.floridaobesitysurgical.com Hope this helps!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs

I know you said any names beside the three you listed....I was actually banded in Dalton, GA by Dr. Jaime Ponce.....then moved to FL for my job. I had my first fill today w/ Dr. Grossbard. He mentioned that there are less than 10 doctors in the US that has performed thousands of these surgeries.....he is one! He is a bit cocky....but I could tell he was also confident! He popped that needle in and I had my fill in seconds! He is also going to be an expert witness in a case in MI ....really seems to know what he's doing. There is a Dr. Kim in Orlando w/ FL HOspital....you might look into him....I don't know much as he was quite expensive to get the fills if he didn't do the surgery! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs :eek:

DonnaB-- Manufacturer lied....it is very bitter ....I mixed it in choc pudding....but that's ok!! I lived!! Melody Banded 3/20/6 -38lbs :eek:

I am a born again Christian and I love the Lord and will be praying for all the needs/problems that arise....We MUST support one another and pray for one another as the Lord has directed!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs :grouphug:

Amy-- 40 lbs is AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! You are doing well....you have done well....and you will do well!!! This is the time to "practice" our new banded life!!! Chew, chew, chew!!! Ask yourself if your still hungry....not am I full?? This is the time to succeed!!!! You can do it!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't let the old ways grab you woman!!!!!!!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs :grouphug:

Avi- I was banded around 9am on a Monday and was back in the hotel by 3pm that day....I would have went home but it was 2 hrs away...so slept in the hotel for a night then off to home the next morning!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs :confused:

Sam-- My first fill is tomorrow afternoon....will keep you posted!! :confused: God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -38lbs :eek:

Thanks Sam....I am trying so hard!! I just don't want to think I've spent all this money for naught....that and I've truly failed so many times....I just want to give it my all!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Tina, You are so young to be going through so much!! I'm sure if your surgeon works w/ your primary and nephrologist they can calculate what to give you in saline during the surgery! You will have to be watched VERY closely post-op as well....for imbalances, etc. Ultimately they are right the wt loss would help...it would help us all!! :eekB: You are definitely a "case" that will put them to the test in each phase!! I wasn't even able to drink 2 cups each day the first few days....just not up for it....but others have hunger and thirst quickly!! They will have to calculate and be so specific w/ you....but caring surgeons and doctors will put forth the effort and help you I"m sure!!! Will be praying for you!!! GOd Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Debra- I am a medical person and honestly have found after doing stuff 3-5 times it's in your head and much easier to do!! I am not saying run to someone inexperienced...but if they'ved done 100's....that's a lot!! I had my lap band done in Dalton, GA by Dr. Ponce who was in on the FDA trials. Then I've moved to FL.....at first thought I was going to have to drive back to TN for fills....but have found a doctor 2 hrs a way willing to take me for fills. Job relocation was my reason for moving....I wonder if the drs in your area resent the Mexican doctors taking all their money and patients?!??! Then they just make a "little" from fills"?!!? Just a thought. Anyway....just check out your dr w/ the state board of medicine for reports against his license or problems.... Hope this helps!! God Bless, MElody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs :eekB:

StrawartS-- My humble opinion is to take a stool softener on a daily basis....this gently draws Water from the bowel wall....a laxative forces the wall to contract and then your bowel becomes dependent on the laxative. Of course, Fiber is GREAT....prevents colon cancer and helps regulate your bowels. Of course, continue your lots of water and exercise!! Lots of fiber!!! Start slow as you will start bloating and gassing..... God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs :eekB:

Well....I've finally found the March '06 bandsters site!! Yipppeeee!! :eekB: I was banded 3/20/06 in Dalton, GA w/ Dr. Jaime Ponce. Good experience. I am now living in FL......job relocation! I am scheduled for my first fill on Wednesday, May 3rd in Zephyrhills, FL w/ Dr. Grossbard. I am told he's great as he has had the band placed! We shall see now won't we?!! I have lost 37lbs!! Woohoo!!! The first 22lbs came in the first week honestly! The last 15lbs have been in the last 4 weeks. I am still excited. But wouldn't it have been AWESOME to lose 22lbs every week!! I am about 1/4th of the way through this weight loss process!! I am learning what slow really is....had no clue before! I am learning how good I can feel with eating healthy and walking daily. Hope to get close w/ other March Bandsters!! God Bless, Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs

Careful on the liver cleansers....some of them can actually aggravate the liver and elevate the liver enzymes!! You are SO MUCH more on the ball than I was....I ate several last meals and didn't prepare well at all!! :eekB: Praying you do well!! Melody Banded 3/20/06 -37lbs