melinda_205
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Everything posted by melinda_205
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I was self pay (7-1-09). I got to the facility at 6:30 in surgery or at least talking to surgeon by 7:00 and on my way out the door by 11:30, with my new best friend (well for 2 days anyway) liquid lortab. I'm glad that I didnt have to stay over night.I'm not saying it didnt hurt but they gave me a couple doses of moriphine before I left the facility, made me drink the pain medicine to make sure I could get it down and shortly after I was on my way home. Stopped by the drug store to get my rx filled and went home and got in bed. I was up later that night but the pain wasnt as bad as I thought it would be. I dont think being in the hospital would have made a difference in the pain. I was gonna have some pain no matter where I was at but even at home I was able to control it with meds. However, I had my parents there and my husband there and even my brother (Thank God I was asleep) to help me with everything that I needed. For the most part all you will want to do the first day is sleep, but you will need some help to care for yourself...just not the entire family! Best of luck with your journey!
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Anyone banded on or around 6/30/09...just wondering
melinda_205 replied to urs9999's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hey less, you are doing great! Whats your secret? -
Anyone banded on or around 6/30/09...just wondering
melinda_205 replied to urs9999's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hey URS99, When I got my first fill my surgeon told me that I may want to try to stay on just liquids for the rest of that day (most of the time I can eat something small and soft) but I am tighter in the mornings than any other time. I have seen on this site that several people have said that they are tighter in the mornings so if there is anyway that you can change the times that you take your meds to early afternoon that would probably help. I wanted to be down at least 30 pounds by my two month mark but I dont know if that will happen...I only have a few days left. I felt better today about my loss, when I put on a pair of jeans they fit much more comfortable than before surgery. Good luck, please stay in touch to let me know how you are doing. -
Hi, I was just looking at some of the before and after pics and I think you are my hero! I was just banded on 7-1-09 and so far I have only lost 25 pounds. I hope that number goes up soon! I'm gonna show my husband your pics, he is also a large man but he said that he doesnt know if he would ever get the band bc he can get the weight off himself. He is right, but he gains it back each time, just as I have. I dont think he is really aware of how dangerous the diabetes, high blood pressure and extra weight can be for him. Anyway, back to you AWESOME JOB! When were you banded?
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Hi TinyT, I unerstand completely about taking such a drastic step to see such little progress. I know that I didnt put the weight on over night but I also want to see better results. I feel like I am doing my part with eating right and now I have started exercising and not to mention I paid out of pocket. I want to feel like I am getting something for my money and if you break that down by the price per pound....it sucks.
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Hi Kristine, we are in the same boat. I am also a full time student and work (I commute 1.5 hrs 1 way to class) so I dont have a lot of time to work out either. However, I have just recently made it a priority to exercise each day. I try to walk between 2-2.5 miles each day. If I have spare time or energy I try to add a different exercise in also. Good luck on your journey!
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Anyone banded on or around 6/30/09...just wondering
melinda_205 replied to urs9999's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hey Less, how much have you lost so far? Just curious as to if we are all falling close together. thanks -
Anyone banded on or around 6/30/09...just wondering
melinda_205 replied to urs9999's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi URS. I was banded 7-1-09, I have also had 3 fills and have lost 25 pounds. It sounds like we are running pretty close together. I didnt have any restriction until after 4 wks but since the first I have had a 3 fills. I think I would have done much better if I would have started exercising sooner but just started getting serious in the past few days. I found a thread on here called "August Mile Challenge" but it goes from month to month so I joined with them so I have someone else to be accountable to and keep me on track. Please let me know how you progress. I think it would be nice to know how others banded close to the same time are doing. Good Luck! -
Planet65 I was the same for the first two fills. It will get better and I was surprised to find out that I actually weighed 2 pounds less at the doctor's office! I know that I am going at a really slow pace but I just reallystarted to exercise. I joined the "August mile challenge" on this site just so I would be accountable to someone besides myself and get my butt off the couch. It carries on from month to month so this isnt the last month to do it. I also found a place on the site that is "July weigh in" and looking at it has helped me to not feel so bad about my weight loss. These are just things that I have done to help me not feel so bad. At least we all are having the same issue so we can vent to each other. What was your surgery date? Just curious. Why is your surgeon waiting so long between your fills? My doctor is very good at letting you get fills he allows me to come in every two weeks until we find my sweet spot, but I had to wait for a month to get my first fill! GO TO THE DOCTOR, THAT IS WHY WE HAD THIS DONE. THE DOCTOR SHOULD BE EMBARASSED FOR MAKING YOU WAIT SO LONG! It will get better. Good Luck.
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indiogirl55, since I found the post "August miles challenge" I have joined with them so I have to be accountable to someone besides myself. Tonight I walked 2.25 miles and last night I walker 1.5 miles, so I will try my very best to keep this up. Now I feel like I have more of a support system here! I intend to walk 15 miles be the end of august. I think I can do it then I plan to go to Sept with them also. It has motivated me enough to get off my butt! BTW I think you are a geat inspiration to have. Thanks for welcoming all the newbies and helping us all with your great advice.
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Hey Teena, sure we can keep in touch by email. You are welcome to find me on facebook but if you are keeping your surgery private for now, I have stuff about lap band posted. We can do this and in a few weeks or maybe a few months we will be so happy to post how much weight we have lost. Good luck!
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Hi, I am sorry to hear that you are disappointed but I think we are in the same boat. I had surgery on 7-1-09 and didnt have restriction for the first month. It is better since I have got a few fills but it still feels like I should see more of a difference and should see the scales go down. I have only lost 25 pounds pre op and post op and had started to get really down and out about it but then I thought it hasnt been 2 months yet and at least I didnt gain 25 more. If you dont have any restriction you should be able to go for another fill now. I'm just going by my surgeon's rule of thumb, every two weeks until he finds my "sweet spot". I hope you see improvement very soon. If you would like we can stay in touch. We were banded pretty close to the same time and we are both pretty new. My email address is melinda_205@yahoo.com or face book is melinda ferguson. Best of luck with your band...just remember we are new and maybe once we get the hang of things and our bands finally start working for us we may actually shed some real pounds!
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Janai WTG on the elliptical! After I got replies saying that I could join you for the remaining time in August I went to the gym after work, everything went great...the treadmill, the bike, done some strength training with my arms and felt really great and then I tried the elliptical. OH DEAR JESUS...I should have said a prayer before I got on that thing bc I was on it for like 3 minutes and just knew that I was gonna die before I got off of it! So now one of my goals is to actually be able to work up to maybe 10 minutes but I think that may take a while. But when I saw your mileage on it I just thought you really deserved a pat on the back! So how long do you stay on the elliptical at a time and how long has it taken you to work up to this? Im just curious, I would love to be able to stay on for like a 1/2 mile but I really think it would kill me! So I havent mastered the elliptical but I did want to share with everyone that after I got off work last night that went to the gym at 12:00 a.m., and I know that I wouldnt have done that if I was accountable to anyone! Goodnight
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Hi everyone! I want to do the weigh ins with the July 2009 bandsters. Please let me know what day we weigh in. Congrats to everyone on their weight loss!
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Hi everyone, I just found this thread and I know it is very late in the month but I would love to join the "challenge". I think it will be a big help if I have someone besides myself to be accountable to. If you will allow me to be part of the group I will set my goal at 15 milesfor the time left in August and then when September kicks off I can increase it. I really wish I would have found this sooner. I was banded on July 1, 2009 and my exercise pattern isnt so good...just spurts here and there so this would really be a big help to me. BTW, everyone is doing a wonderful job...I had to look at July also and you people are really moving your butts!
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Hey, I also had a h/hernia repair when I had my surgery on 7-1-09. I also believe it is gas bc I had the same thing to happen. My surgeon even told my parents that I would have pain in my left shoulder due to gas but it would get better. However, if you feel anxious or scared you should call your surgeon just to be sure that everything is going as it should. If it is gas the only thing you can do is walk, use gas x strips and walk some more. The more you move the better off you will be. Best of luck on your band and hope you have a speedy recovery.
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I spelled your name wrong....so sorry!
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Hi indigogirl...First let me say it is so nice to have someone as nice and caring as you are on this site. Maybe I should have waited before I wrote bc I went in for an adjustment (or tune up as my step dad calls it) and I have lost 25 pounds!!! I did not know that I had lost that much already. I have checked the scales but just didnt pay attention I guess. Now I am pretty excited about the weight loss. But you made me think about some other things. I havent really been told not to eat anything, as a matter of fact before I get my fills they ask to make sure that EVERYTHING will go down. I havent been to any support/group meeting but I am gonna try to start going this week. I think that is honestly the only place I will get support. I think my husbands only means of support is the payment he makes each month besides that I am on my own. I also need to get off my butt a little more but sometimes that is really difficult bc I work and I am also a full time nursing student....I know that basically boils down to just a good excuse. Now that you have ask questions to make me think I will make it a point to keep up with what I am eating and I will get my butt in gear. Thank you so much for letting me vent to you. Again, it is great to have someone like you on this site. Hope the kittens do well....I think Lucky is a great name!
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Hi jess! I just saw your pictures and all I can say is WOW! You have done an amazing job. I havent been so lucky. I was just banded July 1, 2009 but already feel like i have failed. The weight doesnt seem to be moving and I'm not sure of what I am doing wrong. I have tried to talk to my nurse (the doctore is very seldom in) but she isnt the friendliest person in the business and isnt very helpful. I am a full time nursing student and havent been able to attend very many support meetings so I was wondering if you could give me some pointers.
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Its been a while since I have been on this site. I find it a little ironic that before I had the lapband surgery I was on here just about everyday and since surgery I have visited less and less. Ok, I need some help. I had surgery on July 1, 2009. My doctor gave me a little restriction at that time so I wouldnt be hungry in the all liquids phase, after that he waited a month to give me a fill. Since then I have got a fill every 2 weeks, I am up to 5 right now. The doctor was only there for the first fill, since that time it has been the nurse. I tried to talk to her (not so friendly) to find out what I am doing wrong bc I honestly dont feel like I have very much restriction but all she told me was "it is very seldom that even a man goes above 7 or 8 so you will probably be through with your fills pretty soon". I know that the band doesnt do the work for me but I dont think I am filling up as fast as I should. I can eat more than I was told that I would be able to eat without feeling stuffed or sick. I am not measuring how much I eat by getting sick, I am just trying to find something that most of you can relate to. I want this to work. Can some of you bandsters that have been successful please give me a few pointers to help me. This isnt bandster hell is it...this is way too fast to be bandster hell right? Thanks everyone!!
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Any July Bandsters out there?
melinda_205 replied to mgmagnolia's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Chinese food was my downfall in my 2 week preop diet. I had surgery on Wed but the Monday before I went to the chinese buffet for my "last meal". But the high protein/low carb is too shrink your liver and make the surgery easier on you and the surgeon so it is best if you stick to it. Good luck! -
Any July Bandsters out there?
melinda_205 replied to mgmagnolia's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Ocotillo, I had my surgery on July 1st, I had real pain the first day, the second day sore and since then, I am fine. I dont have any problems unless I turn too fast without thinking or something like that. Right now I really miss sleeping on my stomach, but maybe in a few more days! Also, I'm not hungry at all...but my husband and brother are trying to torture me. I dont even think about food until they cook, which the house smells of fried pork chops, fried corn, gravy and rolls right now(yes, we are from the south). I'm not hungry but the smell is driving me crazy, maybe its just bc I cant have it. However, this sounds crazy you said you were burping, I have tried and I have not been able to burp since I was banded! I havent heard of that before. I dont know if it is normal or if maybe it is bc I had to have a hernia repaired, or if I am just an odd ball! So if anyone else has heard of this please let me know. Also, for anyone else that is pending surgery date..the pain is tolerable. The first day is the worst but after that life starts to get back to normal and this is coming from someone that has a pretty low pain tolerence. -
Soup at hand is great. If you are in a motel, there is usually a microwave somewhere and if all else fails, you can take it in the store and use their microwave when filling up with gas. Just an idea.
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Hey, just wondering if there is anyone else from Alabama going in on July 1st? I was thinking it would really be nice to meet up with another member of LBT! My mom will be with me and I am grateful but she is 4'11" and on her worst day weighs maybe 120 lbs, there was a point in her life that she was heavy but I dont know if she really understands why I am so determined to get the lapband. I am truly grateful for her bc she is the one that is making it possible for me to self pay, but I would like to talk to others that are going through the same thing. Good Luck everyone!
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July Jewels 2009
melinda_205 replied to 1hotchocolate's topic in PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Christina89, hope you are not as nervous as I am! We start this journey on the same day. I go in at 6:30 a.m., what time are you scheduled for? Best of luck to you, please let me know how you are doing after surgery!