DougNC

Currently down 99 lbs from the start of my journey last year. Banded May 1, 2009. I'm upset with myself because I have not been exercising...lots of excuses. I would be at my goal weight had I been exercising. Journey has been relatively easy. I do tend to still over eat causing me to vomit to get relief. That is the only bad part of the surgery for me. I don't really get a full filling when eating. I immediately get the pain in my chest feeling from eating, which I guess must be the full feeling. I need to start watching my caloric intake and not just rely on the high protein diet. There are too many good sugar-free low carb products out there which are not necessarily low in calories My cholesterol level is a little high so I need to get that in check as well. Scars are nicely healed and you can barely see them. Jury is still out on excess skin. Keep up the great work everyone. :thumbup:

Down 73 lbs. Was banded May 1, 2009. Not working out like I should. I've had 3 fills to date (3.5 cc) Basically eating a low carb diet. Didn't get a fill this month because the doctor was pleased with my weight loss and I seem to have good restriction. It's funny, I don't seem to be able to eat in the mornings with the band so I have a protein shake and then a yogurt around 10 am. My doctor says a lot of people have difficulting eating in the morning because of being in a lying position all night. I guess I will take his word for it. I just hate the fact that one day I can eat a food item and the next day it doesn't sit well. Ground beef in patties and bacon are killers for me...I try to avoid them. I also have more diffulting when I'm eating out with friends. I think it is because I'm talking more and not watching what I am doing.

It's been awhile since I've posted. I have lost 73 lbs and feeling great! Great job everyone on their weight loss.

I drink an Adkins vanilla shake with 1 1/2 capful of Divinci Sugar Free Raspberry Syrup which I bought at either Sam's Club or BJs. Tastes like a raspberry milk shake. I actually crave it in the morning now. Divinci also has other favors of sugar free syrup.

Greetings everyone. I lost 6 lbs last week for a total of 57 lbs to date. B/P back in the normal range.

I have found a winner for me. I buy the Adkins vanilla premade shakes and then add a cupful and 1/2 of sugar free Davinci raspberry syrup to it. It tastes like a raspberry milkshake to me. I actually enjoy them.

I'm a fan of simple and quick. I use the vanilla flavored Adkins' shake and put 1 and 1/2 capfuls of Sugar Free DaVinci Raspberry syrup (I buy it at BJ's) in it. It tastes like a raspberry milkshake with 15 grams protein and 1 carb. I tried all the other stuff and making of shakes from frozen berries, but for me this is the best tasting and quickest method.

Not sure about the weight today...trying not too weigh to often. Had surgery on May 1 and am down 21 pounds. Went for my first fill last Tuesday and my doctor decided not to do it be cause I'm not too hungery between meals and am steadily losing...I wish I had because I would like to lose 30-40 pounds per month (wishful thinking).

Frank the Tank...get my first fill today. I will make sure they don't overfill because I am going to have to eats some crow. Damn the Penguins are good!!

I was banded on the 1st of May and getting my first fill today...so just a couple of days past 4 weeks.

Frank....glad to hear your doing well. Clearly the anesthesia has not worn completely off yet. Get your provisions ready because the Hurricanes will be dominating Pittsburgh Monday. :scared2:

rosstheboss...great job on your weight loss. I was banded by Dr. Enochs as well on May 1st. My surgery was at 7 AM so he must of banded you right after me. I've lost 16 lbs since surgery (actually 17 lost and then 1 gained over the past 5 days....which sucks). I'm down about 4 inches off the waist which is great. I will be getting my first fill on May 28th. Can't wait for real food so I can get to a more balanced diet.

Hello everyone, My name is Doug and I will be having my lap band surgery on May 1st. I have been lurking and reading postings and thought it was time to introduce myself. This forum has been a life line. Everytime I had doubts about my decision to get banded, I would just come here and read your storys to reafirm that what I'm about to do is the correct thing for me.:thumbup:

Thanks Chad. Everyone day it gets a little easier. Last night I did begin to get some hunger pains. The thought of clear broth gives me nausea, so I took a fellow poster's advice and bought some regular chicken and vegetable Soup and strained out all the solids. Boy did that help with the hunger sensations. There are so many different post op diets guides from very reputable organizations. My doctor wants a totally clear liquid diet for the first week followed by a full liquid diet the following week. The vast majority of post op diets just require full liquid for 2 weeks post op with many only advising Clear Liquids for the first couple of days. I think I may add a Protein Shake or no sugar added carnation instant Breakfast drink to my diet now. I feel like I am running out of energy just on clear liquids. Where are you going to nursing school? I have been a nurse for over 10 years and have loved every year of it. I was in the military right out of high school and then spent 10 years working on Capitol Hill in DC. Becoming a nurse was the best career move ever. I received my BSN and Masters in Health Systems Administration from George Mason University in Northern Virginia. I currently work as the associate executive director and licensed nursing home administrator for a large retirement community here in NC. I love geriatrics.

I wish you luck on your pre-op appointment. This is your first step on a long journey and your feelings are normal. I'm postop three days now and am doing great at least I think so. I have my first follow-up on May 12th. I'm thinking to myself is that all there is? I have no pain, just some mild discomfort when going from lying to sitting and I can't feel the port. I guess it is somewhere under the belly fat. I'm wondering now if he put the lap band in (that's a little joke). The odd thing is that I have no hunger or appetite and I technically haven't eaten in 4 days. Heck, I start driving the day after my surgery. I'm not taking in pain medications so I thought it was safe.

Greetings everyone. My May 1st surgery went great. It seemed to be over in an instant. I remember going into the preop area and the nurses starting an IV, then being wheeled into the OR and taking a couple to deep breaths from a mask and then waking up in recovery. I arrived at 6:30 AM a half hour before my scheduled arrival time only to find out that my surgery time was moved up and that I was late....of course no one bothered to call me. The nurses ran around like crazy to get me prepped for surgery. I'm a nurse myself so I told them to cut out the small talk and get down to business and get me ready. Normally you need to be at the hospital 2 hours before the surgery, but they got me ready in 1/2 hour. I have not had to use any pain medications. I only have mild discomfort which seems more blotting and gas related rather than surgical incisions. It is getting better as time passes. Walking helps to move the gas out. I do have the typical left shoulder discomfort that I have read about which my surgeon said was normal do to all the gas they pump in you during surgery. I did have to have an extra dose of Zofran (anti-nausea medication) once I actually stood up for the first time. What a great drug...the nausea subsided instantly. I'm forcing myself to drink fluids but I have not had any appetite for 3 days which is a little odd because usually if I forget to eat breakfast I am ready to chew my arm off by lunch. So far, so good. I will keep everyone posted. Good luck to everyone that is having surgery this month.

Welcome. I live in the Raleigh area and had my surgery on May 1st with Dr. Enochs at Rex Hospital. The surgery went great. It seemed to be over in an instant. I remember going into the preop area and the nurses giving me an IV and then waking up in recovery. I have not had to use any pain medications. I only have mild discomfort which seems more blotting and gas related rather than from the surgical incisions. Good luck on your up coming surgery.

Welcome. You're feelings are normal. I had mixed emotions as well. More excited than scared at first, but when I was actually a day away from surgery more scared than excited. I had my surgery on May 1st and it went great. I only remember being in preop with the nurses putting in an IV and then in recovery. It was over in an instant. I have not had to use any pain medications. The most discomfort comes from a blotted feeling. For laparoscopic surgery they fill you with gas, and of course it has to work its way out. I'm forcing myself to drink fluids but it strange that I have no appetite at all. Usually if I go without breakfast I am ready to chew my arm off by lunch.:thumbdown:

Greetings everyone! I'm getting banded on Friday at Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC and I'm soooooooo excited. Originally I was going to have the single incision procedure but my surgeon's office called at the last minute and stated I would have to reschedule because that procedure is only available on certain surgery dates (I guess OR set-up is different). I'm not willing to delay, so I'm going with the regular procedure which my surgeon's nurse said is less painful in the long run because the single incision site is so manipulated during surgery and more painful afterwards. It's funny to read about everyone's different pre-op diets. I didn't have to go on any special liquid diets. My surgeon only requested I go on an Adkin's diet (low carb, high protein) which I'm so used to doing. Today is the last day of solid food for several weeks. Of course, I watched the biggest loser last night and that feeling of "I can do this on my own without surgery" made its way into my head. But my frame of mind this morning is that I am doing this on my own and surgery is a tool to aid in my success. Good luck to everyone!

I'm getting banded on May 1st by Dr. Enochs. So far my visits with him have been very positive. He seems very warm and caring. He takes the time to answer any questions you may have. His staff are caring as well. The wait time in his office gets a little annoying, but he is a popular guy. I think if you search his name on this site will will take you to the surgeon's page and there are many reviews from his patients. I think I made the right choice in choosing him.

Hello everyone, Greetings from North Carolina. I'm new to the forum...I have a May 1st surgery date. GO TAR HILLS. :thumbup: