BJK556

by the way, can someone tell me how you update your weight loss on these TickerFactory things???? Thanks Barb

People will look at me when they're talking about food and say "Can you eat that???" I always tell them that there really aren't too many things that I couldn't eat, but just because I can, doesn't mean I should. Then you go through the speech about making good food choices, smaller portions and the difference between banding and bypass.... I stress too about the slower weight loss, but then remind myself that's why I chose this over bypass. It's better for me and I will have to teach myself to eat right. The band won't do all the work like the bypass does. It's a life long learning lesson, but well worth the time and work. Barb banded June 20 2006 UNMC Omaha Nebr Dr McBride down 36 lbs

Photonut, Thanks for the link to the page about band fills. My first fill was scheduled for tomorrow, but I had to re schedule it to later in the month because of a family funeral. I've read some of the other posts from people who apparently got too much fill and were having lots of trouble. I'm still losing weight, but it's going slower now so it must be about time. It sounds like the key is having a good doctor and having good communication between the two of you. I don't mind the slower weight loss. I figure it took me years to get like this so it's not going to melt away over night. pre surgery high 275 day of surgery 262 current 239 Banded by Dr McBride UNMC Omaha Nebr June 20 2006 Barb

Here's my weight for this week 239. Down 3 pounds. Going a little slow, but I'm greatful for every pound down and not up! I'm having my first fill on Friday. I'm a little nervous, but I know it will be fine. I've read some posts here about getting too much fill and that is a little scary. But, my doctor will be the one doing it, so it will be fine. Does everyone's doctor do their fills down in radiology with the scope so they can watch as you swallow the barium??? I would think that would be the best and only way to do it so they know you can still swallow comfortably Barb presurgery 275 current 239 BIG SMILE!!!!

Here's my weight for this week 239. Down 3 pounds. Going a little slow, but I'm greatful for every pound down and not up! I'm having my first fill on Friday. I'm a little nervous, but I know it will be fine. I've read some posts here about getting too much fill and that is a little scary. But, my doctor will be the one doing it, so it will be fine. Does everyone's doctor do their fills down in radiology with the scope so they can watch as you swallow the barium??? I would think that would be the best and only way to do it so they know you can still swallow comfortably

Thats an additional 40 lbs..... That will nearly get me out of the 2's!!!!!! and I haven't been below that since high school!!!! Barb

I'm very much a Christmas person too.... (it's my birthday!!!) I do multiple trees too and probably have enough decorations ( mostly homemade and some store bought) to decorate the neighborhood! I make western style wreaths using a lariet, pine and other decorations. I've also made them for other seasons of the year, using spring flowers or fall leaves and things. Anyway, sign me up too for the group. I think a realistic number would be 40 lbs off by then! Since my surgery in June, I'm down 33 pounds!!!!! :clap2: It will be a wonderful Christmas indeed!!!! Barb banded June 20, 2006 UNMC Nebraska Dr McBride presurgery 275 current 242

Ok.... I'm a newbie here. I was banded on June 20th of this year. So far, including the little bit I lost before surgery, I've lost about 35 pounds. Anyway, I'm guessing I'll have my first fill sometime in August. I've learned my lesson too about bread. I tried having a toasted turkey and swiss sandwich the other night. Even though the bread was whole grain wheat, it still didn't go down very well. I didn vomit, but came close and it wasn't comfortable. I'll be starting on more normal foods this week and will have to remind myself to eat slow and take very small bites. I'm pretty sure I know what the sliming is (one of those not so pretty memories from the hospital) but what is pbing? Also, I just did the "ticker" thing to show my progress, but need to update the weight loss..... how do I update it? Sorry, I'm not exactly the most techno smart person! :omg: Barb

Ok, So I'm kinda new here..... sorry if this sounds dumb but what does NSV mean?? Congratulations on the smaller size. I was banded on June 20th and am already down over 25 pounds from my high point. Made an unplanned trip to a local store just before the 4th of July and bought a pair of denim shorts, ONE size smaller and was so excited! I know in the beginning it will go a little faster, but I'm ready for the slow months too. It took years to get to this point and it's not going to disappear over night. I know it's not going to be easy all the time, but I'm ready! Again, congratulations!!! When I get this all figured out, I'll try posting a picture. Soooo glad I found this website! Barb banded 6/20/2006 UNMC Omaha Nebr Dr McBride highest 275 pre surgery 264 current 246

I had them for at least 3 or 4 days, but then I think it was because I was totally imobile for that long. I think they are pretty standard to prevent clots while in bed recovering. I had complications (internal bleeding) and had a 6 day hospital stay when I was hoping for just a day or two.... Getting stronger everyday and not sorry I did it. Banded June 20, 2006 UNMC Nebr Dr McBride

Hi Everyone, Well, I too was banded on the 20th Mine did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. If you're reading this and haven't had surgery yet, PLEASE EITHER STOP HERE, OR LOOK AT MY EXPERIENCE AS SOMETHING THAT VERY RARELY EVER HAPPENS. The initial surgery seemed to go exactly as planned. Was done laproscopically, everything looking good. While I was in recovery, my blood pressure starting dropping and was headed for the basement. I was rushed back into surgery and 4 units of blood and a little over three hours later, I was back in recovery. Another unit of blood was given to me later up in ICU. I give all the credit to god and my surgeons and the anesthiesioligists for pulling me through. I finally came home today. I'm feeling pretty good, considering. I too had the strange tummy rumbling noises and soon learned not to ignore them for too long. Who knew you could still have BM's ( liquid slimey kind) almost a week of not eating anything!! Anyway, I had nights when I layed there in the hospital and second guessed myself and wondered if I had done the right thing. NO ONE could have predicted what happened to me. I am just thankful I'm home now and on the road to a new and healthier life. I haven't really missed any specific food so far, in fact I pretty much have to make myself eat and drink. So, that's my story so far. I'm not sorry I did it. I may grimace with pain when I get the bill, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I have good insurance, so it shouldn't hurt too much. sorry for the bad writing and spelling..... my computer doesn't recognise this spell check program.................

WEll, my surgery is in about 4 hours. I'm just wearing my favorite pair of old worn out jeans and t shirt. Hopefully the bra won't be a major issue. Since I live in the town where I'm having surgery, I'm not too worried about the ride home. A little nervous but ready to start this new life that I'm starting today!!!

I am a law enforcement communications officer..... been doing that for over 25 years. My surgery is just 4 days away!!!!!

My surgery is June 20th. I went out tonight and got some cute tropical looking PJ shorts with elastic waist, a really loose fiting knit top and some matching flip-flops.... Normally, I wouldn't go anywhere in shorts, but I figured what the heck!!! I'm not sure if I'll have to spend the night or not. My surgery was suppose to be the first one in the morning, but I found out today that I got bumped to 0900.... I'm not going to complain. It took me a year to get to this point. I'm not going to quibble over a couple of hours.

My surgery is June 20th. These posts are a great comfort to me. I wasn't that nervous, but it's nice to hear how well you have all done... (except the one that I did skip over) I'm looking forward to posting my progress and encouraging others. I did go back and read the other post.... not that bad. I had a severely broken wrist about 4 years ago.... pain medication made me sick, couldn't sleep at all the night before surgery and had to sit up in a rocking chair just rocking and holding my splinted wrist on a pillow. Hope I don't have another experience like that any time soon. It took me a year of reading, going to information meetings at the hospital, reading some more, praying and talking to others before I made the decision to have the surgery. I know I've made the right decision and can't wait to see what the future has in store for me!!

Hi Everyone I'm new here too. My surgery is set for June 20th..... Yes, only 2 weeks away!!!! I'm in Nebraska. Dr McBride is my surgeon. She came very highly recommended. I'm somewhat nervous, but excited about the future. It will be challenging at times I'm sure,but I'm ready. I like the weightloss charts some of you have. Can't wait to get mine started! Barb in Nebraska