katt

Karey, I'm so sorry about the robbery. You really have a wonderful attitude though. I will put you and your family in my prayers. MOM - I was down another pound today at my doctor's office. I got my second fill toay and since I'm on liquids again I can't tell if there is any restriction yet or not. There wasn't any after the first fill and I'm surprised I didn't gain! Count my blessings. Later Katt

But I'm in for this one. B: FF Peach Yogurt with 1/2 c. Grape Nuts L: Turkey & low fat cheese on a low carb tortilla Baby carrots & lite ranch dressing D: 2 c. pinto beans w/ham and later I am having some FF, SF pudding. I have been very bad and not walked all week-end. Bad me. Katt

I like the idea of posting what we eat. I think it makes me more accountable. Breakfast: 1 cup green tea, 2 scrambled eggs w/1 slice turkey bacon Lunch: 2 cups 15 bean soup w/ham Dinner: 4 or 5 oz. grilled salmon w/asparagus & corn SF Popsicle 64 oz water I usually walk on the treadmill every day but I thought I was going to the Y to swim so I ended up not doing anything. I had my first fill on Thurs. He put 3cc in a VG band and I don't know if it is psychological or not but I have been starving ever since. I was really looking forward to the fill and anxious that it would hurt but it didn't. It didn't work either. I have to keep reminding myself that it usually takes 2-3 fills to achieve any restriction. I have lost 25 lbs since banding and I am truly thrilled at my progress. I just have to keep working with it. My dr. says to eat protein first and I have reallly been avoiding anything white (I love white food). So let's just all hang in here together. Sandranoelle, you are close to my age, and I think (I am sure I will bring the fury down here) we have to work harder. I know that it took me 2 weeks to build up to 17 minutes on the treadmill. I was soooo out of shape. You can do it. Keep the faith and use the tool. Katt

M.O.M. I am own 6 lbs from last week for a total of -3 for the challengs. I have finally been able to start walking on my treadmill. I was just too tired to do anything the first 3 weeks after surgery. I walked a lot in D.C. with the kids and when we got home I started walking on the treadmill every morning right after I get up and b4 I get ready for work. I think that has really helped. AND (I am so excited and scared...I hate pain) I get my first fill Thursday. Wish me luck.......Katt P.S. You guys are great!!!!!

Well, I guess I was fortunate I didn't have to put sand in my clothes. They did not, however, measure me. The formula for BMI is weight times 703 divided by height in inches squared. Body measurements don't enter into it. I was self-pay as my insurance excludes all WLS. That sucks. I am an RN (as are many others here) and I recognize the many problems our health care system has. I know there are problems with nationalized health care programs in Canada and the UK but we have been trying to do things here in the old US of A for a long time now and it just seems that if we were to put our minds to it we would produce effective national health care. OK - I'll quit typing and run for my bomb shelter now. Katt

Hi Househuntress. I'm 58. I have high blood pressure, diabetes, take Crestor, and had a heart attack in 1994. I was banded a month ago. Nooo problem. I had to have a cardiology release, primary care physician recommendation, nutritionist visit, and psychological evaluation. No biggie. The surgery was a piece of cake. Recovery was easy. Had surgery on Wednesday an went back to work the following Monday. Last week I took 4 of my grandchildren to Washington, D.C. for 9 days. Hang in there. You can do it. Katt

uhmmm ahhh MOM, my starting wt for the challenge was 288. And I just got back from D.C. with the grandchildren and have gained 3 lbs. *sigh* But I go for my first fill on the 26th so maybe that will help. Katt

Hi Lisa! Great to have you. I lurk most of the time anyway, but am thrilled to be banded. I'm in Kansas City also. What doc are you using? Katt

Spent three days driving from Bartlesville, OK to Washington D.C. with grandchildren and sister. What fun!!! We have spent the last 2 days sight-seeing. It has been great. We are going to start home sometime tomorrow. OK enough of that. My start weight was 288. My goal by Christmas is 263. Although if I don't stop eating the way I have been this week I won't get there. On the other hand my walking has increased tremendously. I feel much better and have walked a lot here even though I rented a scooter. Thanks for all your support. Katt

MOM thanks so much. I did it and after much trial and error it worked! Yay!!!!! katt

My sister and I are taking 3 of my grandchildren an 1 of their cousins (ages 16, 16, 15, and 9) to Washington D.C. We leave Saturday and won't be back until the following Sunday. I have not had my first fill so I am wondering how much of a challenge it is going to be to eat out 3 times a day for 9 days. That being said, I'm still in. Let's do it!!! Katt

Larry I was banded 9/13 and I was unable to sleep in my bed for the first 4 or 5 nights. I slept in my chair or on the loveseat with a lot of pillows and the ottoman. Easier to get up also. Katt

Faybie thank you for sharing about your port pain. I was banded 9/13 and my port still hurts when I have been up a long time or walked a lot or over done. It feels like my bra is just resting on it. Now I have hope that eventually it will go away. Katt

Nope I lost nothing before. Yes I'm on solid foods but they are kind of limited. Its not a problem. No it hasn't really been difficult so far. Something about no carbs or the surgery or something has totally buzz killed my appetite. I'm so thankful. Katt

I'm going. My sister is coming with me. I'm looking forward to it. I want to meet you all. You have been very important to me. Today is my 2 week anniversary and I have lost 16.5 lbs. I'm so excited. Katt

Only been banded for 10 days but so far it has been wonderful. But yesterday I noticed the swelling around my incisions has gone down substantially and I have occasional frequent sharp, shooting pains at port site. Is this normal? Katt

Once that hunger and "endless pit" feeling is removed, you will probably be shocked at how easy it is. How well said. I can't believe the difference. I have been banded 10 days. I have lost 13 lbs. For some reason just having the band on has done something to the constant hunger. I told my doctor yesterday when he removed my staples that it was a miracle. Katt

Gosh you guys are doing so good! I'm happy for all of you. I went to the doctor yesterday and had my staples removed. Piece of cake. Lost 13 pounds. Soooooo excited. Still haven't been hungry. Got to start eating chewy food Wednesday. Not much and food list is short but chewing is great! I have started keeping a log in Fit Day and that has been very helpful. Helps me plan for the future also. Keep up all the good work. Obviously this works if you work it. Katt

I'm certainly no expert being really new at this, banded 9/13, but maybe you just haven't reached the right fill yet. And it never hurts to go back to basics: eat protein first, 3 meals a day/no snacks, walk, journal, and use your support. Hang in there! Katt

I have been a hospice nurse for the past 12 years. Prior to that psych (nursing that is). Katt

I think they are all placed where ever the surgeon decides to on his whim. Mine is exactly where you would place your hand to do CPR. I hope I never need it. Katt

I haven't even been able to sleep in my bed yet. The pain I have had has not been great but when I go to bed it is just enough at port site to irritate the crap out of me so I have been sleeping on the sofa or in my chair. As for all the other garbage, there are no experts. Our surgeons aren't even experts regardless of how many they have done. They are all giving us their best opinions and we all know about opinions. That's why they call medicine "practice". My doc had me on Atkins after the seminar, clear liquids for 2 days pre-op, 3 days post-op, liquids on days 4,5,6, & 7. I have no mushy stage. After liquids I can have cottage cheese, tuna, scrambled eggs and the like for 2 weeks and add one food at a time after that. Always remembering "Eat Protein First". But the surgeons are all different. I intend to do what my doc says cause if anything does go wrong, at least he should be fully informed about what I have eaten. Katt

Mindy, I absolutely understand your frustration. And I am so sorry this is happening to you. But at $1000 per month you could probably save enough in 6 months to give the dr. a great percentage of it and go ahead. There are always options when we look. Sometimes it just takes a little longer than we want. It just serves to remind me that I am not really running this show. Katt

Only been banded for 4 days but I am sooo looking forward to shopping for smaller sizes. Confession time: I have always been something of a fashion horse for a MO person. I have taken time to find decent clothes in large sizes and enjoyed wearing them. But I have yearned to wear smaller clothes and look really good in them and this is my first real chance. I'm so excited. Isn't this a great journey to be on? Katt

I am 4 days post op and feel great. Minor pain. Never has been major. And the best of all...I AM NOT HUNGRY. I can't believe it! With past surgeries I have come out of recovery looking for food. Now I just don't care. If I have had 300 calories per day for the past 4 days it would be a miricle. Unbelieveable. I will pray for the best results for all of you. Thanks for being there. Katt