303'sJourney

Hey darlin'! How are you? How are things going? How's Chloe?? I hope everything is wonderful!

Coleen- I also had a single incision surgery w/dr cywes. I am not feeling any discomfort which I am thankful for! It is SO nice to have my port in my belly button. I had my first fill on the 19th of June and it was a breeze. The one thing I will tell you is that when Dr. B tells you to drink water after he puts the liquid in your band. Dear lord please SIP!!!! I didn't and OMG! It was awful... When I was walking out I had to stop in the bathroom and throw it up. (It more like just fell out of my mouth) but the whole day it was hard to drink water... You will have to sip the whole first day... then the next day I was perfectly fine. Unfortunately I am not feeling any restriction at all... I go back on the 24th for my second fill.

Wow... yeah going to mexico would make me pretty nervous! I would also like to be around 140.. but I have to lose about 100 lbs to get there... I know it will take me a LOOOONNNNGGGG time but you know I didn't get heavy over night. I'm feeling pretty good actually. I have been on all protein for about 7 days now. I am down a total of 14 pounds since the 8th and start clear liquid for tomorrow and Sunday then nothing after midnight. I hope you have a great support system going with you to Mexico! At least you'll have beautiful sceanery for recovery!!

Hey girlie... how are you feeling? I don't even know when you will have computer access again but wanted to see how you're feeling. I hope all is well and you are doing fantastic!!!

Hey... looks like things are smooth sailing... what's new? how are you feeling? I hope all is well!!

How has your weight loss gone? I am down 36ish lbs... Don't feel bad about your scale going up. Mine went up 3 lbs after surgery when I went to soft food. I lost 10 lbs from my fill (on a Friday) to that Monday... then when I went to soft food on Tuesday I went up three again... so our bodies are funny. I too am ready for the scale to go back in the downward spiral! I hope all is going well and look forward to hearing about your journey!

Well my surgery was a success... There were a few snags in the road but I made it out just fine. I had a lot of scar tissue built up from having my daughter which caused my surgeon some trouble in getting everything in and where he wanted it and subsequently caused me to have a lot more abdominal pain than anticipated. I also had not one but two hernias that needed repair But I am alright and surviving. Not the slightest bit hungry thank goodness.

He kept me overnight to monitor me and then sent me for an upper gi w/ this liquid that was nastier than barium... if I never have to do that again it will be too soon!!!! It is a little difficult to get in and out of my bed I think because it is lower to the ground but other than that I am up walking around. Nothing too strenuous. I tried laying on my side last night... ABSOLUTELY NOT!! Oh my goodness I won't try that again for a while...

It hurt very badly as gravity pulled on my incisions and port area, so I apologized to my fiance about my snoring and went on to sleep on my back. How are you doing?

Hi there... my name is Teresa. I see that we were banded just a week apart and are battling about the same amount of weight. So I thought maybe you and I could keep in touch through this difficult journey as no ones support system can be too big!

Amanda,

Oh how I would love to tell you that the band has helped me with those things. I have to say I have read on here where it has helped some... but my cravings and eating for boredom are still very prevalent and I could out eat anyone when it comes to chocolate and oreos!!! I think like everything with this process it depends on the person. Just like some people feel restriction right after surgery am some with as little as one fill... I was not that person and it has taken A LOT of discipline and desire to get to this point. I am here if you need anything and am glad to help and support you... ask away! I hope you are doing well and look forward to keeping in touch. P.S. Do you have a date yet?

Beth, Well I am sorry to hear that you won't be using Dr. Cwyes but I do understand wanting to take as little time off from work as possible. Today actually was my one week check and he was estatic that since I started my pre-op diet to today I am down 25 lbs. He confirmed that I am the first SLIP procedure he has done, the other three girls that had surgery the same day as me were a little upset he didn't do it on them too... especially the two after me...

but he explained to me... I don't know about them; that he decided to do it on me because aside from a hiatial hernia and obesity I am otherwise in great health... where as the other's had diabetes or some other co-morbidities that he just felt the traditional way was best for them but that he plans to continue use of it since I am healing so nicely. He also said I should have zero visable scaring and my port is right in my belly button area instead of half way up my chest. Dr. Baptista may use this technique also...

Dr. Cwyes said with all of the research they can accomplish the same thing with one incision and will be moving to do all of the surgeries this way. He was like a kid in a candy store talking about the surgery. I am on to soft foods... like eggs, cottage cheese, skinless meats etc... I am feeling SOOOO much better now that I have some real food in my stomach! I would stay on top of the nutritionist to get your appointment scheduled but they are usually pretty good about getting you in relatively quickly. Just so you are prepared b/c I wasn't... all of your appt's #2 and #3 will be group appts, #2 will be with people who are at the same stage of the approval process and #3 will be with people having surgery the same day as you with your dr. It was really great to see and compare stories today at our follow up visit with the other 3 that had surgery the same day. I look forward to hearing about your nutritionist appt.

hey girlie... what's new? How are you? How are you feeling? Time for some before and current pics huh?? I Hope you are doing spectacular and I look forward to hearing from you!

Also... lesson learned from me. You don't have to wait until they give you the pre-op diet to start preparing yourself and following it. If you would like I can scan and email you a copy of both the pre and post op diets... just shoot me an email address. I hope all is well and love catching up with you! :)

hey girlie... what's new? How are you feeling? How is your weight progressing??

Did you get to ask Dr. B about doing the single incision surgery? I hope that he is able to do that for you! T-Minus 4 1/2 days... WOO HOO! I will get some pictures posted on here... hopefully tonight.

Hey sweet pea... how are you? I hope you are doing great! Well my 2nd fill went well. I am feeling a little more restriction than in the past. I am on day one of full liquids after 2 days of clear... I am feeling pretty good and am down 5 lbs since Friday :) I go back to see him August 21st for #3. How are things going on your end. Should be hearing back from your insurance sometime next week! YAY!!! Maybe when I go back for my next visit you will be on your pre-op appt week! I hope all is well and look forward to hearing how you're doing!!

Hey sweets. Thanks for the sweet note. I haven't posted any pictures bc I can't see a difference... but I will take some hopefully tonight and get them put on here... You are doing SO great! Keep up the fantastic work!!!

Oh mygoodness... it just sat there... I ended up going into the bathroom as I was leaving and when I opened my mouth... it just like... fell out... it wasn't like throwing up. it was just the water... but it was SO uncomfortable. I sipped water all day and then the next day it was fine. I've lost a total of 39.6 lbs. I've lost 10 since my fill on the 19th. Then when I started eating mushies again I gained 3 back... crazy how that happens every time! same thing happened when I went to mushies right after surgery. Don't be disappointed... it will come! You're doing great... just keep doing what you're doing!

If you don't mind me asking... Did the trainer say how much it was going to be to get her to come out to your house??

I was just banded by Dr. Cywes on the 18th of May... you are doing so fantastic! I thought maybe we could keep in touch...

OMG!!!!! BETH I AM SO EXCITED!!!! That is FANTASTIC news and by far the best way to start my week!! I am so happy for you! How are you going to celebrate this wonderful occassion? Now your journey officially begins! If there is ANYTHING at all I can do to help or support you... I'm here for you! I am so excited, I just can't stop smiling! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend on top of the world with your great news and that your week is perfect!

Beth,

I am SO glad to hear that everything went well and am so excited for you that he was able to do the surgery as a SLIP. I hope you don't try to over do it tonight with the kiddo's! Remember your body needs time to heal!! I'm sorry to hear about your vomitting spell... I don't envy you! PLEASE try to take it easy and take some time for yourself to heal and get to feeling better. I live in the area so if there is ANYTHING at all that I can do... I'm here! I updated the pictures the other day when you asked... but like my comments say... it's pretty impossible to tell a difference. They are marked as @ the 44lb mark though. I look forward to seeing some pics of your progress too! :)