MiMi Teapot

Hi Everyone- I cannot believe it has been 2 years. I have lost 81lb- down 3-4 dress sizes- have 7.5 cc in my 11cc band. I feel wonderful. I have had very few problems, have only ever vomited 2 times. My Lapband dr thinks I am the poster girl for lapband. I still have 20lb I would like to lose and it is doable in this next yr. This has been such a good experience for me and I talk with people every week about gastric wt loss surgery(I work in a GI office) It has NOT been aways easy but definitely worth it. Happy 2 years everyone. MiMi

I had my first fill yesterday at 2mo-3wk-1day after surgery.( Last time I was doing too well for a fill, but this time I was getting hungry between meals and I could eat more before filling full.) The PA found my port easily and put in 4cc and then had me drink water. Water would not go down-chest pain right away. She reinserted needle and removed 1cc and the water went down, she asked if I wanted alittle more out and I said Yes. She took out 1/2cc more. So my first fill is 2.5cc. I was able to eat bean soup last pm and my cottage cheese this morning. Restriction is there and I get full faster. All and all a good experience. 33 lb sicne surgery a total of 59lb since 1/09. I am very thankful and praise the Lord for His goodness. MiMi Teapot

My surgery for realize band was 5/24/09. I seen my surgeon @ 4 wk for checkup but my first fill was not scheduled til 8 wk. After reviewing my records and wt lost they decided I still didn't need a fill. I am losing wt every week and really do not feel hungry. I have lost 32 lbs since surgery, a total of 57.5lbs. I can eat more than 1/2 cup but I try to stay close to that. It's really a head game. I still have restriction and I still have problems at time with food going down.So now I am scheduled for a fill 7/16. I try to make good choices in food and I write everything down that I eat and drink. I am also diabetic on insulin so I keep track of my blood sugars too. I have been able to decrease my insulin from 5 injections to 2. Off my oral med for diabetes, off b/p med, and am taking a holiday off cholestrol and tricor med. I have labwork in July to see if I can stay off it too. This surgery has been a good experience for me. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Thank you Lord! MiMI

I am a Type 2 insulin dependant DM. The surgeon would have done by-pass, but I chose banding. I am about 1 month out and have dropped to 1-2 injections a day, off my oral DM meds completely. Since Jan 2009 I have losted 48 lbs, I have hope of going off my insulin completely. I have a friend who is banded and Type 1 and she will not be off insulin, she takes a very small dose. It is something that you will need to decide for yourself. The band is less recovery and no vitamin deficiencies.It was the right choice for me. MiMi

I CALLED MY SURGEON'S OFFICE AND ASKED WHY THE SCALES WERE NOT MOVING. tHEY TOLD ME MY BODY IS IN STARVATION MODE AND IS EATING ITSELF. i HAVE LOST 10.5 INCHES. tHEY SAID I AM DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT. THE WT WILL COME OFF IF I HOLD ON. SO MY QUESTION TO ALL OTHER BUNNIES THAT HAVE NOT SEEN THE SCALE MOVE, ARE YOU SEEING THE INCHES COME OFF? mY FIRST FILL IS NOT UNTIL 6/22, SO I AM HOLDING ON. tHIS PAST WEEK I WENT DOWN TO 1 INSULIN SHOT A DAY.PTL FOR THAT. BLESSING TO ALL, MI MI

Thanks to everyone's input. It is nice to know I not the only one in this boat. I am able to eat reg food now, but I am not able to eat more than 1/2 cup before feeling full, and I am not hungry. I do drink alot trying to get in 60oz a day. My first fill is 6/22. A postive note- I did not need to take PM insulin last night. My blood sugar was 121 last nite and only 105 this AM. Thank You Lord! Thanks everyone! MiMI

Any suggestions? I have lost 18 lbs since surgery, mostly in the first 2 wks. My wt has not dropped any more. I am walking 5 days a wk and my calorie count is less than 1000cal a day. I am getting 50-60g protein in a day plus drinking 60oz of fluid. I feel I am doing everything by the book, but am frustrated by the scales. On the other side I am now off my blood pressure med and am taking a drug holiday off my Tricore and Simvastatin meds. Will have lab work in July to see if I can stop them permanently. I have also gone down a size in clothes. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks MiMi

Pennreporter, I felt good after 1 week but I am a office nurse and my days are very busy. I wanted to make sure I could keep up with my Doc. Plus the weight restriction right after surgery,my surgeon did not want you to drive for a week.So that 2nd week I tried to increase my activity. Actually it worked out well, because my father fracture his hip and I could be with him. I am sure you will do fine going back after a week. MiMi

I was banded with the Realize band 4/24. So far no problems. I am on my second week of mushies, no hunger at all. It seems like I am drinking all the time except for 1 hr after eating. My first fill is 6/22, my Dr likes to wait 8 wk. so you are healed. I have lost 18 lbs since surgery, plus some wt before surgery. Walking every day, was back to work after 2 wks.I feel good. MiMi Teapot

Dear Bunnies, checking in. Seen post op visit 5/11. First fill sched 6/22. Now on mushies. My instructions are to eat 3 meals a day, 1/2 cup portion total, buit if hungry can have a low cal/protein snack. Doing well, I get hungry in afternoon and have a sugar free pudding or protein drink. I am finding that I can get liquids in more in AM before I have bkfast and that hunger pains stay away if I have bkfast later around 9am. H ave lost 18.5 lb since surgery 4/24, a total of 42.5lbs. It is really nice to see the scale under 250. Thanks for all the encouragement Bunnies. MiMi

I know I prayed alot before making this choice. I believe this is the tool God gave me to become healthy. God is not limited in the ways He can use. With the lapband I still have to make right choices in the kinds of foods I will eat. I am involved in a Sunday school class @ church, we are using First Place Bible study series. It talks about a life that is balanced, physical, mental,emotional and spiritual. It has been great. All the girls in the class are losing weight but also studing the Word. The lapband is a answer to prayer for me. MiMi

Will be seeing the surgeon on Monday, first time since surgery. Have been on full liquids since 4/24. Next is soft foods, I did try a soft egg and did all right, it just sat on my stomach. Has anyone had trouble going back to food? I have lost 15lbs since surgery, total of 41lbs since 1/09. Back to work on Tuesday. MiMi

Walking every day, trying to do a mile every day with DVD and some light weights for arms. Seeing Dr for first visit after surgery. 11 days post op and have lost 13 lbs. Before surgery I was walking 1/2 hr before work, will get back to that shortly. MiMi