knightfl

I was banded on September 30th. Just wondering if there are any other members from the Treasue Coast area in Florida?

Jodi, Thanks for the information. Very helpful. I probably started losing hair around 4 months. I'm in my 5 month and I'm definitely noticing the loss. I will try the biotin. I have to admit I have not been very good with the vitamins or the protein. The pills are too big and the protein does not like to stay down. I don't like the drinks. Can you recommend a good protein powder? At my last Dr visit they told me I had to increase both immediately. So I am trying and I have improved the last week. Thanks so much and congrats on your BMI. You are doing great!! Way to go girl!!! Carolyn :thumbup: :thumbup:

Glad to hear the positive words. I am also having hair loss -noticed it this month (5 months out). I know protein is a problem, so I will try to concentrate on it. Good idea to get the powder and put in jello or pudding. What is the best powder? I do not like the taste of the packaged drinks. Thanks for any and all help. Carolyn :thumbup:

It looks like there are 4 of us in the Treasure Coast so far. I'm sure we will have more once the Doctors at Martin start banding. I'd love to have a local support group. Best wishes to all of you and let's stay in touch!! Carolyn

Sorry for the delay. I was so glad to hear from you. Hope you are having success. Do you ever go to the Support Group Meetings at JFK? I believe the next one is March 16th. It's nice to know there are other banders in the Treasure Coast. Hope you are very success. I will respond sooner to your replies. Good Luck. Carolyn

Michelle, Thanks for the information. I'll check out the web site. I have bad knees, so I might not be able to do it now, but I'm hopeful as I lose weight I can start more walking and running. I live in Florida, so I do water aerobics - but not enough. Health4life, Love your name!!! Thanks. I'm hoping the 3rd fill tomorrow will help move me forward. I'll keep everyone updated. Thanks so much for the support!!! Carolyn

Hi to all, This board is great. Thanks to Phyllser for recommending it on the 60+ board. I really, really need support. I am losing, but I am not being very good. The band keeps me from eating certain foods and not a lot, but some of my choices are not good. What is a good site to start logging my foods and exercise? If I don't write them down, I can easily ignore what I eat. The peanut M&M jar has been bad for me during the holidays. I can ignore the cookies and cake because they don't go down good, but the M&Ms do fine. I will move them or freeze them today!!! I do want to keep up with this board. I want this to work!!! Carolyn

Hi to all, I wanted to get back to this board. I'm doing pretty good, but I need to keep in touch so I can stay on track. It's so easy to fall back to old habits. I love seeing the needle on the scale drop. Judy - I had knee surgery several years ago. Fortunately, I did not have your issue. You need to speak with your Dr. and decide what is best for you. Hopefully, the constipation will pass very soon and you can proceed with the band. You will not regret the band. It has been wonderful. I had no problems during the holidays. I need more fill, but I should handle that this week. Good luck to all in 2009. Keep up the information. It is a help to me and everyone. Carolyn

Just checking to see how all of my September buddies are doing. I go to the Dr. on Monday - hopefully for my 3rd fill. I only have 2.5cc in my band. I do have lots of issues with keeping food down, but I'm able to eat more then I should. I'm anxious for the scales to drop. I also need to start more exercising. I got Wii Fit for Christmas, but it is still in the box. So - resolutoin - exercise and watch my calories better. By the way, what is "Couch to 5K"? I missed this info. Thanks for your support!! Carolyn

pttcarol, Hang in there. I seemed to lose very slow between my first and second fill. I was banded 9/30/08 and had my second fill on 11/15. I have definitely noticed a difference. Very hard to over eat now. I have been losing again since that fill. I love not being hungry!!

I am definitely interested. I voted maybe, waiting to hear more details. I would prefer NYC, but would settle for NJ. I also think you should consider Florida in the spring or fall. Lots of great places. I'd be happy to assist. Carolyn

Hi MOMFL, Sorry for the delay in this response. I was away for a few days. I'm sure you will love Dr. Larson and the staff. They are extremely friendly, helpful and supportive. You will meet everyone on your first visit and they will explain the process. It's a bit of a drive to Lake Worth, but worth it. JFK Hospital was also very good. With the LapBand, you'll stay one night. The hospital just received the Certificate of Excellence which is great news. I have had 1 fill and that is not bad at all. I'll get my second fill the Monday before Thanksgiving. Great for watching those calories. As you can see, I have lost 20 pounds. I had hoped for more, but I'm still adjusting my life style. The band is only one tool. You do have to change habits also. They have a support group meeting once a month at JFK. The next one is Nov. 17th. You will find this very helpful. People come that are banded and some that are not banded yet. I think you'll really like Dr. Larson and his staff. If you have more questions, please feel free to ask. Also let me know what you decide. Godd Luck!!! Carolyn

:party:Rainer, Thanks for sharing your pictures. You are doing great!! Congrats

I agree - it does finally get better. The back/shoulder pain is gone and I hope it never returns. It is getting easier. I'm starting to get hungry occassionally. They say todrink water when I get hungry. I won't have a fill for 2 more weeks. Good Luck to everyone. Hang in there. I'm going to look for recipes for when I get off the mushies.

You don't know how uplifting your picture is. To think there will be a day when I can walk into a restaurant again. God Bless both of you! 8 days banded and I needed that motivation. Thanks, Carolyn

Smashing Pumpkins, Good luck at work. Take it easy. I'm so fortunate that I decided to do this between jobs. So I can move it slowly. You will love the mushies. I have sugar-free Jello double chocolate pudding, straberry yoqurt, applesauce, oatmeal, scrambled eggs, I great variety. Just take it slow when you start. Small bites over a long period. It usually takes me most of the day to eat one pudding. It's my taste refresher. My back is a little better today, but it seems to alternate days. I willl be very happy when the back is back in shape. Your doing great!!! My son and his family live in Tampa. Maybe we can have a Tampa get together sometime! Carolyn :wub:

Hi all - I was banded on 9/30 and was not happy with the pain, tightest in chest and gas, BUT - it does get better. I have lost a lot so far, but note that my Dr. did not put me on a pre-op diet, so I am having a lot of water loss. I'm allowed musshies after 1 week and that is heaven. Helps your spirits tremendously!! Good Luck to all. It will get better. I'm so anxious to see what life is like a year from now. In the Bands, Carolyn P.S. The back and shoulder pains still persist. I am not happy with that.

Ambraberger, I'm also a Sept 30th bander and still in pain. I can sleep on my back, but the gas, swelling, etc. is still bad. Plus I have bad headaches. Port still sore, but that is expected. I have had very little of anything. Every drop of liquid is uncomfortable. The thought of food is horrible. I'm assuming this will change soon - I hope. It's great to hear from others that our pass this stage. You know there is light at the end of this tunnel. Take care and good luck. We'll be happy losers soon!! In the bands, Carolyn

I was banded Sept 30 and have the same issues. Something is not allowingme to eat. So far I've had 2 TBLS of chicken broth, 1 SF popscile and a few sips of water. Everything wants to come back up and causes very, very bad pains. I'm assuming time will answer the issue. My shoulders also hurt. What is that all about? Your help appreciated. Carolyn

Margie, Thanks. That is the diet they gave me. I was confused and thought I needed more information for the first week. I have the sf pops, chicken broth, sugar free or less then 5mg fruit juices, plus protein drinks. I'm going to buy some samples today. I'll concentrate on the chocolate ones. Just wanted to be sure I didn't need extra items. I'll be glad when Wednesday is here. Carolyn

Thanks for the wishes. I did attend the Information Meeting. The group is extremely nice. They are very helpful and friendly. A little expensive, but the united services they offer make the difference. Also I was impressed with the discussion we had with Dr. Larson. Very patience, answered all of our questions, didn't rush us. They do take steps to be sure you have theproper attention. JFK is in the final srages of receiving the Center of Excellence rating. They are expecting it any day.

I'm in Martin County, but going to Dr. Larson in Lake Worth. A little drive, but he comes highly recommended. Lots of experience. I'll be banded on 9/30. I hope to find some Martin County patients to car-pool to support group meetings. If you have any questions, I'll try to answer.

April, We share the same date and I'm nervous also. Big day, big decision. I'm excited, but definitely concerned. Please get in touch after your surgery. We can compare notes. My prayers are with you. Good Banding, Carolyn

OK. I have 1 day until surgery and I don't think I'm ready. Where do I go for info on liquid diets? First I have heard about using the blender to mush normal foods. I thought you just had to suffer with broth and jello. Please point me to the best place for ideas. Don - sorry to hear of your bad week. But looks like you're on the move for banding. Carolyn

TBLightning - I'm driving to Tampa this weekend to see our grandchildren. Glad to hear your surgery was successful and you're on the way to a healthier you! Carolyn