JenWillwin

Hi there. Im a slow loser. About 50 pounds in 9 months. But I still tend to drink with my meals especially since I love spicy foods so its my own fault.

Hi NickNack, I was banded on April 12th of 2006 by Dr Jawad, no problems. I have lost 55 pounds and counting. (I want to lose 100 more.) and a Dr from that office called me within 15 minutes of me leaving a message but it was a minor problem unrelated to the band and I have been so impressed with everyone there. This is the best decision I have made for myself. I know people have lost weight alot quicker than I have but that is because I still have a problem drinking with meals (I eat a lot of spicy foods). SO that is my fault and no one elses. You are making a great decision for yourself and good luck

I have only lost 19 pounds and have quite a few left to go but this has been my journey the last 6 weeks post op: - I can sit in an airplane seat without asking for a seat belt extender! - I had my period after not having it for 7 months! -My size 24's are loose, my bra size went down, my shirts are now a 2x versus 3x -I can lay in bed without seperating my chin from my chest with a bed sheet -I can stand on my feet longer without the tingling and pain -I take half the dosage of metformin (blood sugar medicine) -I can wipe myself better -I can get up off the couch and bed easier With all these improvements with just a 19 pound weight loss, I cant wait to add more after losing another 19 pounds! I have hope and thats something I didnt have before. I feel so good I want to cry!!!!!

I got my first fill today (2 cc's in a 10 cc band,whatever that means!) but I definetly feel the extra restriction and brings me back to the feeling I had right after surgery. I felt a little nausea today but the nurse said that would be normal. I do not feel sore though.

Hi Everyone! I had my surgery about 6 weeks ago and am down about 25 pounds and I had my period a few weeks ago, after 7 months of not having it at all!!! And yes, I have PCOS. SO this initial weight loss has really helped me and when I got my period I almost cried with joy! I had a 5 day period. The bleeding stopped and now it is back and I dont know what to do??? Has anyone had this happen?:help:

Hi Everyone!!!! I am hoping someone can answer this! I am on day 23 post op and still doing the soft mushy foods phase. Will someone PLEASE tell me how many calories a day I should be at this stage per day?

I wonder if we can just go to the support group for Dr. Kim b/c I really need to speak with people about this and I cant afford $1000

does anyone know if they make a liquid form of metformin?

I started getting heavy right before I got married and it was in conjunction with symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome. I dont know whether getting PCOS helped me pack on weight or packing on weight gave me symptoms of PCOS. Doctors dont even really know for sure.Add that to my parents divorcing a few years later. The icing on the cake is when I quit smoking 1 year ago. So I have managed to gain about 140 pounds in 7 years. I feel better losing 20 pounds and not smoking then I did when I smoked and was about 50 pounds lighter than I am now.:violin:

Thanks Melody! $995??? wELL GEEZ wHen I went to Dr. Ferguson for my psych eval there who works alongside Dr. Kim she said I can go to the support groups but she never mentioned this fee. I think one of his support groups is tonight but count me out b/c I am still paying for the actual surgery! Thanks anyways for the info!

Do crackers count? I put cheez-it crackers in my soup and it goes down just fine. I am 19 days post op.

Hi Telly and everyone else. I live in Saint Cloud, 29 y/o and was banded on April 12th in Ocala. Did you go to Dr. Kim? Im looking for a local support group but not sure where to go since I was banded in Ocala. Any ideas?

It is the best decision I ever made. I got banded on April 12th and I have lost 20 pounds post op. My energy is through the roof. I have more hope for my future. I am never hungry but still eat great food. I exercise more because I get up easier. I can walk with less pain due to the weight loss. My blood sugar is lower and I dont get tingling sensations up and down my legs. I look forward to a longer life and hopefully it will be easier now for me to conceive. But most of all, because I TOOK CONTROL of this weight problem by having this surgery, I dont have such a need TO CONTROL food and I dont crave it like I used to. Before your surgery you will start mourning the fact that you wont be able to stuff your face as you like. But once you have surgery you may find the urge for comfort food goes away alittle.And if food is such an emotional attachment for you and the surgery doesnt help, counseling may help you as well. They say food addiction is easier to overcome than drugs and alcohol dependency.

Hi everyone! I am on day 17 post op and I have tried to transition to soft mushies but find it hard to do. Last night I tried to order 1 egg with 1 pancake and the actual chewing with the fear in the back of my mind of eating it too fast bothered me. So I didnt eat it and ordered "vegetable beef soup liquid "and that was so much better. I dont have a problem with the actual food going in, I have a problem with the chewing and the fear of eating it too fast. So my lunch and dinner is still soup with soggy crackers mixed in. I am still getting about 800-1000 calories a day. Is this normal? Does anyone else out there feel the same way I do?

Im on Day 15 post op and now on mushy foods. Can you guys tell me how many calories you are getting in a day in this stage or the recommended amount of calories you should have?

Hi Kristin, I just went to the Dr today for my post op and you are right. Ive lost 13 pounds in 13 days. Now I need to get one of those weight meter thingies with my posts!

LegallyKristin, But didnt you say in an earlier post that some people never need a fill and the band is all they need? Now, I am more confused. Am I suppose to lose even quicker once I get my first fill?

Hi Everyone! I was hoping I can get some input on a few things. I am day 10 post op doing my Liquid Diet. Since I havent had my first fill, why do I get so full on liquids? Is it because my stomach is sore and recooperating? Are bandsters not "expected" to lose weight until their first fill on solid foods? I definetly feel I am losing weight but will I lose it even quicker with my first fill? Im so confused

Does anyone know if you lose more weight on solid foods with a fill then you do on the liquid diet without a fill?

I think March is busiest month for lap band surgeons because people really start thinking about this surgery after the weight gain during the holidays and the New Year's Resolutions. By March, most testing and insurance companies have already given the ok and the surgery is done.

Hi Everyone! I am a new bandster, Day 8 to be exact!!!!! And I had some questions I am hoping can be answered! How many grams of Protein should be eaten a day? This is a typical day of food for me so if anyone would like to critique it, then please do!!!!!!!! This morning: 1 no sugar added carnation Breakfast with fat free milk 1/4 cup of tomato Soup This afternoon: Atkins strawberry shake chicken broth (about 1 cup) Tonight: 1 sugar free choclate pudding Miso soup broth Lots of Water and liquid Multivitamin from GNC I feel full all of the time but Im not sure what you guys think.

Hi Infaith! I was banded April 12th.Its good to know these strips will wash off cuz I am not about to pull them off. My staples look grose and so does the stitching area near the port! EWWWWWWWWWWW LOL I hate to look at it in the mirror but no pain no gain,right?

:straight This is my 3rd day and I am now able to get up on my own and so here I am typing to you guys. After surgery, the pain is bad but it is bearable. I felt like I was punched in the stomach. Having a good support system for me was imperative pre and post to get through this easier. I had some ice chips in the hospital and went home and slept. Later that night I had some warm chicken broth. I feel like warmer iquids are better b/c to me they are more soothing for the stomach. You really wont care to eat at all so for all of you that are afraid you cant eat what you want, you wont want to. Yesterday I stayed in bed as well and I had some protein shake, carnation instant breakfast with some skim milk, and some more chicken broth all day. I can feel the weight already coming off from my stomach and my face.Now that is a good felling. A feeling of hope which I havent had for so long... Today I was able to get up on my own and I am now typing this. I havent gotten sick at all, and I think I am farting but have no knowledge of it coming out until I can smell it. (Sorry for the description but have no other way of saying it.) I havent had any bowel movements since surgery and my urine is clear. I have been burping somewhat and bringing up some mucus. I havent taken my bandages off yet. Does anyone know when they should be taken off? ANyways I hope I have given my best description of my post op and will keep in touch:straight Hanging in there!

Hey Jennifer,dsrjrr,elisabethswe!! Please let me know how you are doing! My surgery is Wednesday and I am scared and anxious! Thanks u guys!

Hi Barbie! Congratulations on your first step to lap band if that is what you choose to do! If you are going to the initial meeting, it is very informative. You will be able to be among people like yourself who have the same feelings as you. What to expect is this:You will be in a seating area and will be able to see before and after pictures of people on the tv screen and the photo albums they pass around. I did not get to meet Dr. Jawad the first time around but Kevin, his nurse practioner spoke to us on behalf of Dr. Jawad and explaines both procedures. You are encouraged to ask any questions that you would like. Then they will call you individually and you can get weighed and ask Kevin any more questions personally. Odalys will go around and answer your questions about insurance. I have United Healthcare too and even Odalys will tell you they are the easiest company when it comes to this surgery. They sent UHC my paperwork on Feb 21st and by April 2nd I got my approval and my surgery date is this Wednesday!!! I got to meet Dr. Jawad on my pre-op last week. He seems easy going and will answer your questions without sugar coating the answers. He is a master at what he does and I am sure my surgery will go great. If this is what you choose to do, just know you have a team of people there that are really helpful! Good Luck!