Bempowered
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Everything posted by Bempowered
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Have any of you gotten the Mirena IUD post-surgery and your weight loss stalled out? Luckily I'm only about 20 lbs from goal, but I can't seem to get the scale to budge since I got it several months ago.
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That's awesome! Congrats on your success. I'm down 56 lbs now. I feel wonderful. We have a lot in common. I had a breast reduction too. Only mine was 6 years ago. They had come back a little with the weight gain but are back to the size they were post-reduction - Thank Goodess! My goal is to loose 25 more lbs and I'm hoping I can do that by my one year anniversary. Wish me luck and much success as you continue your journey! Take Care!
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Hey!! Wow, you're right, it is nice to finally see someone who also had Dr. Bautista. I think he is great. I've had no complications related to the surgery and the weight is coming off slow and steady! I've had to get used to the slow and steady! I've been too lazy to keep up with exercise though, but am determined to do better in that area. I was still quite sore one-week post op but to this day, I've not regretted my choice. Hope you are doing well, and if you have any questions as you go along the way, I'm here to help!! Are you working with Mya or Jeanine at the doctors office? I'm with Mya. I'm going back in for fill #2 this week.
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To FILL or not to FILL...that is the ????
Bempowered posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I was banded on May 7th and had my first fill on June 16th. Between my surgery date and the fill I could pretty much tolerate any kind of food. I typically eat whatever I want, just smaller portions. Of course fear of getting stuck keeps me away from most "bad" things. I went back to the doctor last week just a little over two weeks post-fill because I felt like I still had no restriction. Post-fill I've still been able to tolerate whatever I want to eat. Quantity control is mostly mental for me as I am stopping myself from overeating, I don't feel a sensation of full with the band (Or maybe I only know what stuffed feels like and I'm afraid to go there!!). My doctor said that I was doing well and recommended that I NOT get another fill just yet. She said that I was losing at a steady and slow pace which is just what they like to see. She further indicated that more restriction may cause adverse effects like getting stuck. I've lost 26 pounds so far. I lost 3 lbs between June 16th and July 2nd when I went in seeking more restriction. My doctor said that if in a few weeks I still felt like I need a fill to come back in and she would give me more. So the question is, should I be happy that I feel no restriction but yet am still losing weight? Happy that I'm NOT pbing? For some reason I didn't think it was going to be this simple. My doctor said that many patients feel as if they should be miserable or in pain or barely eating in order for this to work and that just isn't the case. So, help me here please. Should I get another fill or not? Or have I already answered my own questions. :thumbup: -
I was told to stop drinking 1/2 hour before meals and resume drinking an hour after meals. Before surgery, this wouldn't have bothered me one bit as I wasn't a big drinker. It seems like just because I'm told I can't, I want to desperately!! :sad: I feel like I need if only a swig of Water to clear my throat after eating. I certainly can't drink a whole glass of water due to restriction, but is a few sips of water so bad?? Any advice you can give, would be helpful.
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I'm a complete chocolate whore but the chocolate protein shakes make me want to gag. So for a quick treat, I go to Wendy's and have a Jr. Chocolate frosty and have half of it. The Jr. size is super small so I'm feeling no guilt.
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First Fill Experiences For The Mayo BANDitos
Bempowered replied to John337's topic in LAP-BAND Surgery Forums
Hi all! I had my first fill today. It went pretty well considering I'm a big BABY when it comes to needles. I had the technician laughing so hard at me as I tried to brace myself for the needle. To my surprise, it wasn't very painful at all. A quick prick. (I was standing up with my arms over my head) Apparently I wasn't breathing because the nurse is like uh.. you probably want to start breathing now. Too funny. They did it under x-ray so I was able to see my band and my little pouch. Also was able to see the barium? pass through as I swallowed it. Afterwards, I was told to sip about 4 oz of apple juice. Needless to say, a sip to me isn't a sip to them. I drank it in paces, but too quick for them. I was fine though! They think I'm nuts. Some days I am. :wink: I found out TODAY that my doctor had put in 4cc's on surgery day. To be quite honest, I hadn't felt that at all. She took it all out just to be sure and then put in 6cc's. So I actually got 2cc's today. I hadn't eaten since 8:30 am this morning and had to jet from the hospital to train a class, so by this evening I was famished!!! I had about half of a Campbells cup of soup and viola...I'm satisfied. Just waiting to see how long it lasts. I have to go back in 30 days for an assessment to determine if I need more. Stay tuned... Good luck to everybody who has their first fill coming up...it's a breeze!!:smile: -
Congrats!! Great to hear. My weight loss is at a stand still. I'm holding at 20 lbs. but right now I don't even feel like I have a band. It's pure willpower. I'm a little nervous about the fill. I go for my first on the 16th. Did you notice a big difference? I can't believe you're getting your second fill, it seems like you just had surgery! I'm starting a couch to 5k program in a couple of days. Hoping increased exercise will get things moving!
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Congrats on your successful journey! I had to write you after I saw you're from Mechanicsville. I'm from Tappahannock!! It's kind of "different" seeing a success story from someone who lives so close! Keep up the good work!
I've had this weird "urge" to run for several years now and printed countless C25K programs. I just downloaded one to my IPOD and will be hitting the treadmill this afternoon. I walked in the Komen 5k in D.C. on yesterday and was a bit jealous of the runners. Participating in this race is an annual event for my family, but next year....I'm running! So let it be said, so let it be DONE!! Thanks for the motivation!
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You look great! I'm am truly amazed! This has given me the boost I needed. I've been feeling a little "weepy" lately about this whole thing. I am the same height and just about the same weight as you when you started (I was banded on May 7, 2009). Geez, I can hardly see myself that small. Thanks, thanks, thanks for giving me a "vision" of possibility!!!
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I was banded just about 5 weeks ago and flew last week. I didn't have any problems. The only special instructions I was given was to move around on the plane to prevent blood clots. I constantly stretched and jiggled my legs. Hope you have a great trip!!
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The same thing happened to me and I was about to go bonkers. Thanks to friends on this site, I kept my cool!! I called my surgeon's office about it and they referred me to my PCP. Went there and it turns out that I'm highly sensitive to sodium. Which I pretty much already knew. I've always had "puffy" feet and hands and that totally went away the week after surgery. Pretty much because I couldn't eat or drink anything. I probably got 64 oz of Fluid in for the entire week instead of per day. As soon as I went to mushies, I started to gain a pound per day. Not cute and quite frustrating since I lost 15 the first week! My PCP was floored by that and said it wasn't good. Needless to say, because of this and my fluctuating blood pressure, I was given a diuretic to take as needed. Since I've started that regimen, I've started to lose again. I say all this to say...it's normal. While yours may not be sodium sensitivy, the minor weight gain is okay. Hold tight until your fill...you'll be fine!! Take care!
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Hey!! It will probably be another week or so before you feel "right". I felt the sensation of fullness quickly for the first couple of weeks. Now, however, I feel absolutely NO restriction. At this point, it's pure self control. I'm away at a conference this week, so things have gotten quite difficult. I'm just trying to stick to eating protein first. I did have an apple martini though. Yummy. That's so wrong! I've been released to a regular diet now. I'm finding that there in nothing on my typical menu that is intolerable. My doc says this may change after my fill which is scheduled for June 16th. I don't think you're doing anything wrong. My understanding is that this is the roughest period because you aren't filled. Keep up the good work and stay motivated. This time next year girl...you'll be lethal. That's my plan, and I'm sticking to it! :-)
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WOOHOO!!!! Congratulations!! Contact me after you get back home to let me know how you did! Yeah I can't believe I lost that much either. I've gained a few back since I'm back on solid food though. That's a bummer.
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2nd week post op and GAINING...??????
Bempowered posted a topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
My two week bandiversary is today and since I've been switched to a regular diet, I have gained several pounds. I could hardly eat the week after surgery and subsequently lost 15 lbs the first week!! I knew I couldn"t keep losing at that rate, but I certainly didn't expect to be gaining. :thumbup: I really think a lot of it is Fluid. I have always had "puffy" feet and fingers which subsided shortly after surgery. However, this week old Puffalicious is back! I am so discouraged and am having anxiety about going for my three week check next week. They are gonna think I'm eating like a fool which just isn't the case. Has anyone gained after surgery (pre-fill)? -
2nd week post op and GAINING...??????
Bempowered replied to Bempowered's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Thanks everybody for your comments. I was really getting discouraged. -
How soon after op did you start Driving?
Bempowered replied to elcee's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
I drove a few days after too. My instruction said that as long as I hadn't taken any narcotics within 24 hours, it was okay to drive. The turns hurt me on my port side though. -
Hey Cherelle! Hope you had a good day today. I am still feeling lots of emotions. I'm having serious anxiety because I can't eat what I want, so that continues to be a battle. Just trying to take it day by day. I'm almost two weeks out and physically I feel great. Just still a little sore around the port site. I was hoping I would never have to get a fill (wishful thinking) but right now, I'm feeling that bandster hell everybody speaks about. I have no restriction and am afraid I'm going to start gaining. Again, day by day. I plan to start walking for 30 minutes per day in a couple of days. I hear that helps. Keep in touch. Anything I can do to help, I'm here!
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Anyone banded May 7 2009?
Bempowered replied to TeganRheana's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey! I had the breathing pain issue too. It's better today. I went for my one week followup yesterday and the dr. said it was normal and would relieve itself as the stomach healed. My shoulder pain comes back every now and again, but not for long periods like at first. Hope today was a good day for you. -
Let's just say the first week I hardly got any liquids in. My stomach just felt full all the time. Today is the first day I really felt hunger. I got a little worried about that because I'm on pretty much a regular diet now. I feel great today, so hope that continues!!
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Thanks! How have you been? Are you feeling back to "normal" yet? I was wondering how long it takes to get there.
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Anyone banded May 7 2009?
Bempowered replied to TeganRheana's topic in POST-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A
Hey! I was banded May 7th as well. Had a rough weekend, but today has been better. I have the shoulder pain as well. Most of the gas in my belly is gone - thanks Gas-X! I am still really sore around my port site. I started with a nagging cough on Saturday and that has made it hurt even worse! Looking for relief in the next couple of days. My surgery book says it will take from one to three weeks to feel "normal". I'm shooting for one!! -
Ann, I've had some pretty weird dreams over the last couple of days too. I just related it to being in mourning from not being able to eat what I want. My surgery book calls it "Putting out the fire." That has been very useful to me. I even got up today and made my family a spaghetti dinner! I felt like I needed to face this thing head on. I feel a little weiry now and again too and have even shed a tear, but I see it as my process to advance to my new life. Look for the positive in every dream, every conversation and every dissapointment. It will only make you stronger. And as the others have said, We've got your back!!!