gracerev

You're making me feel thankful for my surgeon! We have to stay on liquids the rest of the day of the fill, then puree/mushies the next, and then back to normal as tolerated. My first fill was this morning and I'm already dreaming about my cottage cheese for Breakfast in the am! gracerev

Did my Curves Smart workout today and walked 2 miles after. I actually jogged a little bit on the long stretches a few laps. Wow! Keep up the good work, everyone! One foot in front of the other. gracerev

Hey all! Didn't work out yesterday but managed to walk 4 miles this evening. Monday I plan on doing Curves Smart and then walking at least 2 miles. Tuesday through Thursday I have to be out of town so I'm hoping that I can get acquainted with the treadmill at the hotel to stay consistent. I don't want travel to be an excuse. I hope everyone has a great week! gracerev

Absolutely! Mine is an hour and a half (depending on ATL traffic) away but I do everything in my power to make sure that I get there every month. The folks I have met in the group have been my inspiration and have also provided amazing advice along the way. I'm so thankful to have this group of people. I think the thing that makes the biggest difference is that the group I go to is Lap-Band specific as opposed to a general WLS group. We have such different issues/needs and experiences that it means a lot to be able to focus mainly on the band. If you haven't gone to one, give it a try. It may not be for you, but you won't know unless you try. You may be pleasantly surprised! gracerev

Hi September folks! I was banded on 9/3 and am just biding my time until my first fill on Oct 20, which still feels like FOREVER away! lol Of course I have zero restriction right now and have been battling hunger. It would be a million times worse if I weren't exercising, I'm sure. I've returned to walking 3 to 4 miles most days of the week and have gotten back to Curves. Yesterday, I got started with the Curves Smart workout, which is a computerized and customized workout that pushes you to work as hard as possible. I have to say I thought I was working out before, but WOW. Curves Smart kicked my butt yesterday and I loved it! I am confident that it will help with strength, shape, and toning. For those that are just starting to take baby steps with exercise, keep at it! You will amaze yourself with what you can do. Try a little bit more each time. And no matter what activity you're doing, please make sure you're wearing good shoes! You don't want to complicate things with an injury or pain. You can do this! We all can! Imagine how great it feels to be DONE with a workout - and then go make it happen! All the best! gracerev

Another option for us is to post in the "monthly" section further down the list - there's already a September 2010 section and everyone can post their own questions/updates individually instead of a 95+ page long post. Might be easier to catch up there! Just an idea. Best to everyone. gracerev

Hi! I also can't speak exactly to Emory University but was banded earlier this month at Emory Johns Creek. Let me know if I can answer any questions. gracerev

Danielle, My dear, you are sounding like you're in my head! I'm right with you on the slow pace frustration. And I have absolutely been driving myself crazy with the scale. In fact, I had a conversation about it with my therapist this morning. He knows that I weigh myself every day and that I've been incredibly frustrated with the same blessed numbers for days on end. We talked about putting it away completely (NOT HAPPENING) or just weighing once a week. Now that sounds reasonable but really hard to do right now. I'm toying with only weighing every other day for now - baby steps! lol Thinking about all of you recent bandsters. Hoping you are all recovering well. I'm almost 3 weeks out and really don't have any lingering issues except some incisions that we're watching. It really does get better, I promise! So amazing that there's over 100 of us and the month isn't over! Blessings to you all! gracerev

Good morning, everyone! Fresh from a visit with my primary doctor this morning. I have been declared "cured" of my hypertension. She took me OFF of my blood pressure medicine completely!!!! :thumbup: It's a great feeling to say goodbye to one medication already. I'm doing better emotionally, as well. I think I've gotten over the head hunger craziness of a few days ago and am handling it fairly well. I haven't lost any weight in the last several days but I haven't gained, either, so I'm calling that a MAJOR victory. The other piece is that I haven't taken my bp meds for a few days as a trial, and part of that is a diuretic, so I'm probably retaining Water. If that settles, I might actually lose a pound or two. I'm hanging in there! Best to you all! gracerev

Hello all! Today is two weeks exactly since my surgery. I'm feeling much better and can even sleep just about however I want to which is a huge relief! My blood pressure which was well controlled with meds has dropped. I will see my primary doc on Monday about either cutting the med completely or at least reducing the dose. I didn't take it this morning and mid-day my bp was 106/76. Don't want to know what it would have been if I had taken the med! Watching that pretty closely, can't wait to see what my doctor says. I have gotten back into my walking and today I walked three miles in my best time ever, just over 51 minutes. No land-speed record, but awesome for me! Felt amazing. And my shoes are getting a bit loose as well. wow. And now, for the hard stuff. I think I'm running smack into bandster hell. I am battling awful head hunger and it's won a few times in the last two days. I can eat way more than I should with no problem. My surgeon said to think of these hard weeks as the "last diet you'll ever be on" but holy cow the mental fight is a hard one. I'm working hard on sticking to the portions suggested in our post-op guidelines. I'm also working to do the small bites and chewing like mad but I have to say - this is hard. I knew it would be, but wow. My first fill isn't until October 20 and that feels like it's a lifetime away. I've lost 21 pounds since surgery but gained at least 2 back. Frustrating. I know it will be okay, and I know that I will make it through this - I don't want to sound like I'm down on this process at all, but I just had to share. Hope we can all hang in there. Blessings to all who are preparing for surgery, and thanks for listening. gracerev

Rebecca, Hope you're able to tolerate more today. Mum's the word on skipping the Unjury. As long as you've got something that works! No point in having something that you just can't tolerate. Today, I just feel sore. Can't sit/stand/lay in any one place very long. Thank God my mom is patient with me. I think I'm getting a little bit grumpy. I'm sure it will pass as I keep feeling better. Trying not to look too closely at my tummy in the mirror because I look like I got hit by a truck! I'm leaving the steri-strips alone as instructed, but does anyone have any ideas about how to (GENTLY!) remove the sticky left over from the big adhesive bandages? I don't want to mess with the areas too much but would really like to not stick to myself whenever I move! It's a lovely day here but got pretty hot again. Hoping to go out for a little walk when evening comes. Best to you all! gracerev

pooky, I'm having a hard time getting all of the fluids in as well. By the time I get all 3 shakes in at meal times, I can hardly get other things down. I'm making it slowly but surely. I don't think I'm getting dehydrated but it is slow going! gracerev

Cathy, There is no fluid in my band. Honestly, I haven't tried to take big swallows or gulps because the dietitian told us that it could cause vomiting or other problems. We were instructed to make the 8oz shake/drink and pour 2 ounces at a time into smaller containers (like my adorable neon shot glasses!). We are to consume each 2oz cup in 15 minute increments. It's supposed to take an hour to get the 8 oz in. That's 24oz. a day from the protein drinks and we are to aim for 24oz of other sugar free beverages. Don't think I'm making it on the "other liquid" category but I don't think I'm getting dehydrated, either. I'll just keep working at it. The only think I'm noticing today is that I am just not comfortable - not in agony but just not comfy. Walking and moving definitely helps. Trying to tear my mom away from watching her college football games to take me to Target or something (with AC!) to walk around for a bit. The house is starting to feel very confining! Rebecca, So glad you're doing well. Hang in there with the shakes! Blessings to you all! gracerev

Hi friends! So amazing to have finally made it to the "other side!" Surgery was yesterday (Friday). Stayed at a nearby hotel with mom the night before and got there at 5:30am Since I was the first case for my surgeon, there was no waiting and I went at about 7:30am. Pain isn't too bad - I agree with everyone else that walking is the best. I get sore if I sit around too long. The gas pain has been switching from one shoulder to the other but isn't awful. Just got home from the hotel (we stayed last night to be close to hospital since it's an hour and a half home). Think I might break out my heating pad for my shoulder. Haven't actually seen the incisions yet but will tomorrow since that's when I can finally take the big bandages off and get an honest-to-goodness shower! All in all, I am feeling better than I thought I would. Taking nurse's advice to stay on top of pain med for first couple days just to be sure. I have 7 full days of liquids (3 protein drinks and one "liquid snack" a day). Had my first shake last night and have had 2 today. I found the coolest neon plastic shot glasses that hold 2 ounces each, and I'm using them to portion out my shakes over an hour's time as we were instructed by the dietitian. An hour for 8 ounces seemed overkill to me when we had our class, but I sure understand it now! Slept ok at the hotel last night but it was fitful and interrupted every 4 hours by my pain medicine dose. Praying that I'll do better in my own bed here at home tonight! I also got a bonus with my surgery - a hiatal hernia repair! It didn't show up on the upper GI test from a few months back but the surgeon repaired it anyway. Yay, I guess! Hoping that all who have recently had surgery are doing okay. For those who are still waiting, hang in there! You'll be there before you know it. gracerev

Oh Cathy, I'm so excited for you! My week isn't nearly as exciting as yours, but I am happy to be going Tuesday evening for a LAP-BAND® support group meeting up at the hospital and then staying at a hotel because my preop class and dr. visit are the next day and I live an hour and a half away. Happy to see folks I've gotten to know at support group and also to enjoy a night at the hotel! Need to do some cleaning this week to get ready for my mom's arrival next week. It's funny, there are things that I've been putting off doing so I can have a bunch to do closer to the surgery to really keep my mind busy. Don't know if that makes any sense at all, but it is what it is. Hope everyone has a good start to their week! gracerev

Hi everyone! Welcome to all the newer folks who have joined us! About telling people - my "inner circle" of close friends know and are very supportive. I'm a pastor, and I have told my congregation council (leadership team) because of making sub arrangements for while I'm recovering. I've also decided to tell the whole congregation on the 29th (last Sunday before surgery and being off for two Sundays). We live in a small town, and if I didn't say what kind of surgery I was having, I would be dying of a brain tumor within 3 days (thanks to the rumor mill!) I decided that honesty was best - they would notice eventually that something was changing! I've asked a committee at church to explore ways in which we can promote wellness in the life of the congregation. We could all use an emphasis on health. About pre-op stuff, I also haven't seen my surgeon since my first consult 6 months ago. I go this Wednesday for my pre-op class, return visit with the dietitian, check-in with the surgeon, and anesthesia consult. That's a week and a half before my surgery on the 3rd. I figure I'll get any "real" pre-op diet instructions then. Until then, it's just watching what I eat according to the dietitian's guidelines. Getting more nervous and excited as we get closer. So excited for you, CS, as your date draws near!!! gracerev

Cathy, Wow - never knew there was so much to think about with calcium and Vitamins. Haven't been to my pre-op class yet so I will be sure to ask their guidelines. As far as your surgery date goes, WOOHOO! You can officially be our trailblazer - and, by default, the "answer-er" of all our varied questions! Blessings to you as you prepare! gracerev

Hi guys! I'm a september person, too! I'm also on the 3rd. There's a September 2010 thread going over in the Pre-Op section. Stop by to say hello (and pick up a cool graphic made by a talented member of our crew!) gracerev

MissJ, Thanks for the images! I'm testing mine now (I hope I did it right!) It makes me feel....I don't know, official, I guess! Love it. Survived the funeral for the baby but it was really hard. So hard to look at the parents sitting in the front row. It's raining here (finally!) so I'm taking the day off from walking. My feet don't mind! gracerev

RK, I will be at Emory Johns Creek. I'll be Dr. Johnson's first case that day (arrive at 5:30am!!!!!!) so it should be totally outpatient. I'll be going to the EJCH LAP-BAND® support group mtg on the evening of the 24th and staying overnight nearby to come to the class on the 25th. I'm getting so excited! It's amazing to think that our month is coming so quickly. Good luck to those of you who are already doing a pre-op diet. I'm down a little over 30 pounds since I started the 6 month insurance hoop-jumping. Also walking (like RK said, in the god-awful Georgia heat!) nearly every day. Trying to be as healthy as possible before surgery. CS, so sorry to hear you were sick! Hope you're much better now. Take care of yourself. Hope y'all have a great weekend. I'm off to prep a sermon and funeral for an infant. So sad. Got a call from a local funeral home today asking for me to help them out - for tomorrow! No time like the last minute. Praying that I can be a comfort to the poor parents. gracerev

Hello! I'm happy to officially join this group! I finally got both my insurance approval and my date. I will be banded on September 3. RK, we're one day apart - with the same surgeon! We'll be in the same preop class on the 25th. I live down in Carrollton so it's a trek up and back but it's worth it. Here's to all of us who are making new starts in September! gracerev